Markers of atherosclerotic risk in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A preliminary study

The prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is rising continuously. Cardiovascular disease is one among the leading causes of morbidity and premature mortality in patients with NAFLD.

To determine the risk of atherosclerosis in NAFLD subjects diagnosed by USG at K.S. Hegde Charitable hospital.

A cross-sectional study involving 203 persons diagnosed with NAFLD were included in the study. Subjects with alcoholic liver disease, renal failure, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and/or C and those on lipid lowering drug were excluded from the study. Lipid profile was measured and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) was calculated as log (TG/HDL-c). Categorization of the subjects with respect to risk of atherosclerosis was done based on serum LDL-c, non HDL-c and AIP. Statistical analysis was done using Chi Square test and p value < 0.05 was considered significant.

More than normal values were observed for serum total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglyceride and non HDL-c in high percentage of NAFLD subjects (76.8%, 84.7%, 70.4% and 72.4% respectively). Serum HDL-c level was low in 53.2% subjects. 51.2% of subjects had high AIP and 23.6% had moderately high AIP.

Results of categorization of the subjects with respect to risk of atherosclerosis based on serum LDL-c, non HDL-c and AIP showed that high percentages of subjects were in moderate and high risk categories. AIP is probably a better marker to determine the risk of atherosclerosis.