title: The severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease correlates with high sensitivity C-reactive protein value and is independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk in healthy population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 724 subjects without CVD according to presence or absence of NAFLD. Logistic regression model was used to determine if NAFLD was an independent risk factor of CVD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with NAFLD had increased percentage of 10-year cardiovascular risk ≧10% compared to those without NAFLD (p<0.001). The severity of NAFLD significantly correlated with increasing Framingham risk score and C-relative protein (CRP) value. After adjusting for conventional CVD risk factors, the presence of NAFLD was an independent predictor for future CVD risk ≧10% [odds ratio: 1.89, p=0.004]. Subgroup analysis showed the predictive value of NAFLD was significant among aged subjects and those with increased baseline hsCRP level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NAFLD is independently associated with increased CVD risk, especially among elderly subjects and those with increased CRP level.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Chin-Chou
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wan-Leong
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jaw-Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsin-Bang
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Leu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein