An analysis on carotid intima-media thickness and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the correlation between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), subclinical atherosclerosis (SAS), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in patients with NAFLD. Methods From January 2019 to March 2021, there were 122 patients with NAFLD were enrolled in this study as the NAFLD group, with 78 males and 44 females, and an average age of 43.3±12.0 years old. At the same period of time, 120 healthy people were included as the control group. The clinical data of SAS, CIMT and cfPWV between the NAFLD patients and the healthy controls were compared. Results The body mass index (BMI) of NAFLD group and control group was (28.4±3.7) kg/m² and (24.1±3.0) kg/m², respectively, which had statistically significant difference (t=2.138, P<0.05). The waist circumference of NAFLD group and control group was (102.5±9.7) cm and (93.3±8.4) cm, respectively, with significant difference (t=2.498, P<0.05). The levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC, HDL and LDL in NAFLD group were (38.0±6.7) U/L, (35.3±6.4) U/L, (2.2±0.6) mmol/L, (5.1±0.9) mmol/L, (1.0±0.2) mmol/L, respectively, which were significantly different with those of (25.2±5.2) U/L, (22.8±4.8) U/L, (1.0±0.5) mmol/L, (4.6±0.8) mmol/L, (1.2±0.3) mmol/L and (2.4±0.5) mmol/L in the control group (P<0.05). The fasting insulin levels in NAFLD group and control group were (102.5±9.7) μU/mL and (93.3±8.4) μU/mL, respectively, with significant difference (t=4.712, 4.268, 3.849, 2.587, -2.181, 2.028, P<0.05). The HOMA-IR of NAFLD group and control group were (3.5±0.8) and (2.0±0.5), with significant difference (t=5.427, P<0.05). The right CIMT of NAFLD group and control group were (0.66±0.12) mm and (0.58±0.10) mm, respectively, the differences were statistically significant (t=4.442, P<0.05). The left CIMT of NAFLD group and control group were (0.65±0.11) mm and (0.58±0.09) mm, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In NAFLD group, right CIMT>75th, right CIMT>0.9 mm, left CIMT>75th and left CIMT>0.9 mm were 95 cases (77.9%), 9 cases (7.4%), 98 cases (80.3%) and 11 cases (9.0%), respectively, compared with those of 62 cases (51.7%), 2 cases (1.7%), 69 cases (57.5%) and 3 cases (2.5%) in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (χ²=18.227, 4.547, 14.740, 4.713, P<0.05). In NAFLD group, cfPWV, cfPWV>10 m/s and cfPWV>90th were (10.4±2.8) m/s, 68 cases (55.7%) and 77 cases (63.1%), respectively, compared with those of (8.2±2.5) m/s, 28 cases(23.3%) and 32 cases in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion CIMT and cfPWV in patients with NAFLD are significantly increased, and the patients are prone to develop SAS. It is necessary to treat the NAFLD patients as soon as possible, in order to prevent the progression of SAS and avoid the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

Key words: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Subclinical atherosclerosis, Carotid intima-media thickness, Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity

ZHAO Jian-hong, LI Hong-bin, CHENG Xiang-chao, GUO Yan-wei. An analysis on carotid intima-media thickness and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2023, 28(2): 214-217.

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