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

Introduction: 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. Aims and Objectives: To determine the risk of atherosclerosis in NAFLD subjects diagnosed by USG at K.S.Hegde Charitable hospital. Materials and Methods: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> Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.