Association between the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery calcification in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in postmenopausal women. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with CVD, however, little information is available regarding the relationship between CVD and NAFLD in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of NAFLD and coronary artery calcification (CAC), which is used as a marker of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.Methods: Out of 4,377 subjects who underwent a cardiac computed tomography (CT) in health promotion center between 2008 and 2013, 985 postmenopausal women were enrolled. Anthropometric profiles and multiple cardiovascular risk factors were measured. Severity of NAFLD was measured by ultrasonography and CAC was evaluated by cardiac CT.Results: The subjects were stratified into three groups according to the severity of NAFLD. There were significant differences in cardiovascular parameters among the groups and the prevalence of CAC significantly increased with severity of NAFLD. In the logistic regression analysis after adjusted for multiple risk factors, increasing severity of NAFLD is significantly associated with CAC (odds ratio (95% CI), 1.40 (0.89-2.20) and 2.05 (1.24-3.39) ; P <0.05).Conclusions: There was a significant association between the severity of NAFLD and the prevalence of CAC, suggesting that NAFLD based on ultrasonography could be used as an independent marker for coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.