title: Association between liver histology, carotid ultrasonography and retinal vascular changes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing all over the world. NAFLD has been demonstrated to be associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis, evaluated using the intima-media thickness (IMT). In this article, we focused on the association between NAFLD, carotid parameters such as: intima-media thickness (IMT), pulsatility index (PI) and resistivity index (RI) as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and the presence of retinal vascular disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared carotid IMT, pulsatility and resistivity index evaluated by ultrasonography, in 10 patients with histological-proven NAFLD and retinal vascular changes (retinophotographies).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The degree of hepatic steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis in NAFLD patients was strongly associated with the value of carotid IMT and also with PI and RI. Moreover, there seems to be a connection between the degree of NAFDL and the retinal vascular changes in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the severity of liver histopathological lesions among NAFLD patients is strongly associated with carotid parameters: IMT, IP, IR and also with retinal vascular changes. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm the results.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania.
authors.forename: Cristina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Băloşeanu
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Streba
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Vere
authors.forename: Violeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Comănescu
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rogoveanu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography