Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Fibrosis Associated With Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Events in a Prospective Study

The association of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with the risk of myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective While studies have documented how metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD), whether MASLD is associated with myocardial infarction (MI) remains debateable. Herein, we systematically reviewed published articles and performed a meta-analysis to determine the relationship between MASLD and MI risk.Methods PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, VIP, and WanFang databases were searched, and the DerSimonian Laird method was used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) for binary variables to assess the correlation between MASLD and MI risk. Subgroup analyses for the study region, MASLD diagnosis, quality score, study design, and follow-up time were conducted simultaneously for the selected studies retrieved from the time of database establishment to March 2022. All study procedures were independently conducted by two investigators.Results The final analysis included seven articles, including eight prospective and two retrospective cohort studies. The MI risk was higher among MASLD patients than among non-MASLD patients (HR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08-1.47, p = 0.003). The results of the subgroup analysis of the study region revealed an association of MASLD with MI risk among Americans and Asians, but not in Europeans. Subgroup analyses of MASLD diagnosis showed that ultrasonography and other (fatty liver index[FLI] and computed tomography [CT)]) diagnostic methods, but not international classification of disease (ICD), increased the risk of MI. Subgroup analysis of the study design demonstrated a stronger relationship between MASLD and MI in retrospective studies but not in prospective studies. Subgroup analysis based on the follow-up duration revealed the association of MASLD with MI risk in cases with < 3 years of follow-up but not with ≥3 years of follow-up.Conclusion MASLD increases the risk of MI, independent of traditional risk factors.

Predictability of noninvasive liver fibrosis score for cardiac events in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a higher risk of cardiac events. However, although the severity of liver fibrosis is related to worsening prognosis in patients with NAFLD, it is unclear whether the noninvasive liver fibrosis score has a predictive value for cardiac events.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We evaluated 4071 patients with NAFLD diagnosed using ultrasonography. Liver fibrosis was assessed and divided into three groups based on the Fibrosis-4 (FIB4) index and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). The primary outcome of this study was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization due to coronary artery disease. The median age of the evaluated patients was 61 (52-69) years, and 2201 (54.1%) were male. During the median follow-up period of 6.6 years, 179 (4.4%) patients experienced MACE. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that MACE increased progressively with the FIB4 index (log-rank, p < 0.001) and NFS (log-rank, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that the higher the FIB4 index, the higher the risk for MACE (low group as reference vs. intermediate group, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.860 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.326-2.610; p < 0.001]; vs. high group, HR:3.325 [95% CI, 2.017-5.479; p < 0.001]), as well as NFS (low NFS group as reference vs. intermediate group, HR: 1.938 [95% CI, 1.391-2.699; p < 0.001]; vs. high group, HR: 3.492 [95% CI, 1.997-6.105; p < 0.001]).

CONCLUSIONS

The FIB4 index and NFS are associated with the probability of MACE in patients with NAFLD.

CLINICAL TRIALS

The study design was approved by the ethics review board of Ogaki Municipal Hospital (approval number: 20221124-12, registration date: November 28th, 2022). https://www.ogaki-mh.jp/chiken/kenkyu.html.

Liver Fibrosis Assessed Via Noninvasive Tests Is Associated With Incident Heart Failure in a General Population Cohort

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim of this study was to determine whether liver fibrosis is associated with heart failure in a general population cohort, and if genetic polymorphisms (PNPLA3 rs738409; TM6SF2 rs58542926), linked to increased risk of liver fibrosis and decreased risk of coronary artery disease, modify this association.

METHODS

Using UK Biobank data, we prospectively examined the relationship between noninvasive fibrosis markers (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] fibrosis score [NFS], Fibrosis-4 [FIB-4] and aspartate transaminase [AST] to platelet ratio index [APRI]) and incident hospitalization/death from heart failure (n = 413,860). Cox-regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for incident heart failure. Effects of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 on the association between liver fibrosis and heart failure were estimated by stratifying for genotype and testing for an interaction between genotype and liver fibrosis using a likelihood ratio test.

RESULTS

A total of 12,527 incident cases of heart failure occurred over a median of 10.7 years. Liver fibrosis was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or death from heart failure (multivariable adjusted high-risk NFS score HR, 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.47-1.76; P < .0001; FIB-4 HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.55-1.84; P < .0001; APRI HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.56-2.19; P < .0001; combined fibrosis scores HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.44-2.49; P < .0001). These associations persisted for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), MASLD with alcohol consumption (Met-ALD), and harmful alcohol consumption. PNPLA3 rs738409 GG and TM6SF2 rs58542926 TT did not attenuate the positive association between fibrosis markers and heart failure. For PNPLA3, a statistically significant interaction was found between PNPLA3 rs738409, FIB-4, APRI score, and heart failure.

CONCLUSION

In the general population, serum markers of liver fibrosis are associated with increased hospitalization/death from heart failure. Genetic polymorphisms associated with liver fibrosis were not positively associated with elevated heart failure risk.

Deciphering metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: insights from predictive modeling and clustering analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

New nomenclature of steatotic liver disease (SLD) including metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD), MASLD and increased alcohol intake (MetALD), and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) has recently been proposed. We investigated clustering analyses to decipher the complex landscape of SLD pathologies including the former nomenclature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

METHODS

Japanese individuals who received annual health checkups including abdominal ultrasonography (n = 15 788, men/women: 10 250/5538, mean age: 49 years) were recruited.

RESULTS

The numbers of individuals with SLD, MASLD, MetALD, ALD, NAFLD, and MAFLD were 5603 (35.5%), 4227 (26.8%), 795 (5.0%), 324 (2.1%), 3982 (25.8%), and 4946 (31.3%), respectively. Clustering analyses using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding and K-means to visually represent interconnections in SLDs uncovered five cluster formations. MASLD and NAFLD mainly shared three clusters including (i) low alcohol intake with relatively low-grade obesity; (ii) obesity with dyslipidemia; and (iii) dysfunction of glucose metabolism. Both MetALD and ALD displayed one distinct cluster intertwined with alcohol consumption. MAFLD widely shared all of the five clusters. In machine learning-based analyses using algorithms of random forest and extreme gradient boosting and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, fatty liver index (FLI), calculated by body mass index, waist circumference, and levels of γ-glutamyl transferase and triglycerides, was selected as a useful feature for SLDs.

CONCLUSIONS

The new nomenclature of SLDs is useful for obtaining a better understanding of liver pathologies and for providing valuable insights into predictive factors and the dynamic interplay of diseases. FLI may be a noninvasive predictive marker for detection of SLDs.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and atherosclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To update information about the relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and atherosclerosis. This review emphasizes the potential mechanisms linking MASLD with atherosclerosis and the possible causal relationships between these conditions.

RECENT FINDINGS

An increased risk of cardiovascular disease is related to MASLD. Several molecular, cellular, and metabolic mechanisms have been described to explain the development of atherothrombosis in MASLD patients. These include atherogenic dyslipidemia, low-grade vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, insulin resistance, gut microbiota dysbiosis, activation of renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems, hypercoagulability, and decreased fibrinolysis. Also, there is recent evidence suggesting an association between genetically driven liver fat and coronary heart disease mediated by the causal effect of apoB-containing lipoproteins. Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have reported a strong association between MASLD and cardiovascular outcomes. MASLD is an important and independent risk factor for atherosclerosis development. Multiple mechanisms may be involved in this association. Further research is required to establish a causal association between MASLD and atherosclerosis.

Non-invasive biomarkers prognostic of decompensation events in NASH cirrhosis: a systematic literature review

Liver cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a life-threatening condition with increasing incidence world-wide. Although its symptoms are unspecific, it can lead to decompensation events such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal hemorrhage, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, an increased risk for cardiovascular events has been demonstrated in patients with NASH. Pharmacological treatments for NASH cirrhosis are not yet available, one of the reasons being the lack in surrogate endpoints available in clinical trials of NASH cirrhosis. The feasibility of non-invasive prognostic biomarkers makes them interesting candidates as possible surrogate endpoints if their change following treatment would result in better outcomes for patients in future clinical trials of NASH cirrhosis. In this systematic literature review, a summary of the available literature on the prognostic performance of non-invasive biomarkers in terms of cardiovascular events, liver-related events, and mortality is outlined. Due to the scarcity of data specific for NASH cirrhosis, this review includes studies on NAFLD whose evaluation focuses on cirrhosis. Our search strategy identified the following non-invasive biomarkers with prognostic value in studies of NASH patients: NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI), enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF™), BARD (BMI, AST/ALT (alanine aminotransferase) ratio, diabetes), Hepamet Fibrosis Score (HFS), liver enzymes (AST + ALT), alpha-fetoprotein, platelet count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) 2, miR-122, liver stiffness, MEFIB (liver stiffness measured with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) + FIB-4), and PNPLA3 GG genotype. The aim of the present systematic literature review is to provide the reader with a summary of the non-invasive biomarkers with prognostic value in NASH cirrhosis and give an evaluation of their utility as treatment monitoring biomarkers in future clinical trials.

Myocardial infarction accelerates the progression of MASH by triggering immunoinflammatory response and induction of periosti

Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), especially advanced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Whether CVD events will, in turn, influence the pathogenesis of MASLD remains unknown. Here, we show that myocardial infarction (MI) accelerates hepatic pathological progression of MASLD. Patients with MASLD who experience CVD events after their diagnosis exhibit accelerated liver fibrosis progression. MI promotes hepatic fibrosis in mice with MASH, accompanied by elevated circulating Ly6Chi monocytes and their recruitment to damaged liver tissues. These adverse effects are significantly abrogated when deleting these cells. Meanwhile, MI substantially increases circulating and cardiac periostin levels, which act on hepatocytes and stellate cells to promote hepatic lipid accumulation and fibrosis, finally exacerbating hepatic pathological progression of MASH. These preclinical and clinical results demonstrate that MI alters systemic homeostasis and upregulates pro-fibrotic factor production, triggering cross-disease communication that accelerates hepatic pathological progression of MASLD.

The pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves cardiometabolic health in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

Lanifibranor, a pan-PPAR agonist, improves liver histology in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), who have poor cardiometabolic health (CMH) and cardiovascular events as major mortality cause. NATIVE trial secondary and exploratory outcomes (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03008070) were analyzed for the effect of lanifibranor on IR, lipid and glucose metabolism, systemic inflammation, blood pressure (BP), hepatic steatosis (imaging and histological grading) for all patients of the original analysis. With lanifibranor, triglycerides, HDL-C, apolipoproteins, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, fasting glucose (FG), hs-CRP, ferritin, diastolic BP and steatosis improved significantly, independent of diabetes status: most patients with prediabetes returned to normal FG levels. Significant adiponectin increases correlated with hepatic and CMH marker improvement; patients had an average weight gain of 2.5 kg, with 49% gaining ≥2.5% weight. Therapeutic benefits were similar regardless of weight change. Here, we show that effects of lanifibranor on liver histology in MASH are accompanied with CMH improvement, indicative of potential cardiovascular clinical benefits.

Association Between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and MACCEs in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An Ambispective Longitudinal Cohort Study

Aim

Metabolic dysfunction-related fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is closely related to metabolic disorders. However, the relationship between MAFLD and the prognosis in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between MAFLD and the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCEs) in patients with DFUs.

Methods

889 inpatients with DFUs (PEDIS/TEXAS mild and above) were included in this study from 2013 to 2023. All participants were placed into non-MAFLD (n = 643) and MAFLD (n = 246) groups and followed up every 6 months for 10.9 years with a median of 63 months through in-person outpatient interviews and family fixed-line telephone visits. The association between MAFLD and the risk of MACCEs was evaluated through Multivariate Cox regression analyses, Stratified analyses and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses.

Results

Of the 889 subjects, 214 (24.07%) experienced MACCEs. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that MAFLD was independently associated with MACCEs (P < 0.001), of which with non-fatal myocardial infarction (P = 0.04), non-fatal stroke (P = 0.047), coronary artery revascularization (P = 0.002), heart failure (P = 0.029), and all-cause mortality (P = 0.021), respectively. The stratified analysis revealed that compared with non-MAFLD (HR=1), DFUs with MAFLD had a 2.64-fold increased risk for MACCEs (P <0.001; P for interaction = 0.001) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) subgroup. Kaplan-Meier analysis evidenced that the MAFLD group had a higher cumulative incidence of MACCEs (log-rank, all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

MAFLD is a high-risk factor for MACCEs in patients with DFUs. The findings will remind clinicians to pay more attention to MAFLD in patients with DFUs, especially in patients with DFUs combined with PAD as early as possible in clinical practice and adopt timely effective intervention strategies to prevent the occurrence of MACCEs to improve the clinical prognosis in patients with DFUs.

Longitudinal Outcomes Associated With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Meta-analysis of 129 Studies

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been found to manifest in a series of hepatic and extrahepatic complications. A comprehensive meta-analysis of the longitudinal outcomes associated with MASLD has yet to be conducted.

METHODS

To investigate the longitudinal outcomes associated with MASLD, Medline and Embase databases were searched to identify original studies that evaluated the longitudinal risks of incident clinical outcomes among MASLD patients compared with non-MASLD individuals. DerSimonian Laird random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Pooled effect estimates were calculated, and heterogeneity among studies was evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1.60; P < .01), various metabolic outcomes such as incident hypertension (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.46-2.08; P < .01), diabetes (HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 2.10-3.13; P < .01), pre-diabetes (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.22-2.35; P < .01), metabolic syndrome (HR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.13-5.85; P = .02), chronic kidney disease (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.27-1.50; P < .01), as well as all cancers (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.35-1.76; P < .01) among MASLD patients compared with non-MASLD individuals. By subgroup analysis, MASLD patients with advanced liver disease (HR, 3.60; 95% CI, 2.10-6.18; P < .01) were also found to be associated with a significantly greater risk (P = .02) of incident diabetes than those with less severe MASLD (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.0-2.45; P = .02) when compared with non-MASLD.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study emphasizes the association between MASLD and its clinical outcomes including cardiovascular, metabolic, oncologic, and other outcomes. The multisystemic nature of MASLD found in this analysis requires treatment targets to reduce systemic events and end organ complications.

Endotoxemia and Platelets: 2 Players of Intrahepatic Microthrombosis in NAFLD

Gut dysbiosis-related intestinal barrier dysfunction with increased translocation of bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into systemic circulation is emerging as pathogenic factor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Experimental and clinical studies suggested a potential role of LPS as a trigger eliciting in situ liver inflammation upon interaction with its receptor toll-like receptor 4. Also, LPS has been reported to prime platelets to respond to the common agonists indicating that it behaves as a prothrombotic molecule. Of note, recent studies suggested platelet-related intrahepatic thrombosis triggered by LPS as a mechanism implicated in the process of liver inflammation. This review describes: 1) the impact of gut barrier dysfunction and endotoxemia in the process of NAFLD; 2) the relationship between endotoxemia and platelet activation in NAFLD; 3) clinical evidence for the use of antiplatelet drugs in NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients; and 4) the potential therapeutic approach to modulate endotoxemia and eventually platelet activation.

Liver fibrosis index is associated with functional outcome among acute ischemic stroke patients

INTRODUCTION

The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and the fibrosis-5 (FIB-5) index are noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Although liver fibrosis a potential risk factor for stroke development, it is uncertain whether liver fibrosis influences stroke outcomes. We investigated the associations between these two indices and stroke patient outcomes and compared their predictive accuracy.

METHODS

We conducted a double-center, hospital-based, retrospective study. Consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (n=2399) were analyzed. We calculated the FIB-4 index and the FIB-5 index and evaluated their relationships with poor stroke outcome, which was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 at three months after stroke. We evaluated the ability of each index to predict stroke outcome according to cutoff values calculated from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

Of 2399 recruited patients, 1549 patients (mean age, 73 years) were analyzed. The FIB-4 index and FIB-5 index had similar areas under their ROC curves for predicting stroke outcome (FIB-4 index, 0.675 and FIB-5 index, 0.683, P=0.334). The cutoff points of the FIB-4 index and FIB-5 index according to the ROC analysis were associated with poor stroke outcome in the multivariable analyses (odds ratio [OR] 2.23, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.72-2.89, OR 1.93, 95 % CI 1.47-2.54, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Liver fibrosis scores may be useful for predicting outcomes in patients with acute stroke. The FIB-4 and FIB-5 indices should be considered comprehensive tools for assessing the outcome risk after ischemic stroke.

FIB-4 index is associated with mortality in critically ill patients with alcohol use disorder: Analysis from the MIMIC-IV database

BACKGROUND

The relationship between fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the predictive ability of FIB-4 for all-cause mortality in critically ill AUD patients and the association between them.

METHODS

A total of 2528 AUD patients were included using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. FIB-4 was calculated for each patient using the existing formula. The patients were equally divided into four groups based on the quartiles of FIB-4. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard model were used to evaluate the association of FIB-4 with in-hospital mortality, 28-day mortality and 1-year mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyse the incidence of 28-day mortality among four groups.

RESULTS

FIB-4 was positively associated with 28-day mortality of AUD patients with hazard ratio (HR) of 1.354 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.192-1.538]. There were similar trends in the in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR): 1.440, 95% CI (1.239-1.674)] and 1-year mortality [HR: 1.325, 95% CI (1.178-1.490)].

CONCLUSION

Increased FIB-4 is associated with greater in-hospital mortality, 28-day mortality and 1-year mortality in critically ill AUD patients.

Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular outcomes, including angina, coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary artery calcification (CAC), myocardial infarction (MI), and calcified coronary plaques.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, was conducted up to January 2023. Studies were included investigating the relationship between NAFLD and cardiovascular outcomes in adult populations. Exclusion criteria were studies on animals, pediatric populations, and those not published in English. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias in the included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 32 studies with a total of 5,610,990 participants. NAFLD demonstrated significant associations with increased risks of angina (Relative Risk (RR): 1.45, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.79), CAD (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.38), CAC >0 (RR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.69), and calcified coronary plaques (RR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.27). However, no significant association was found between NAFLD and CAC >100 (RR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.38) or MI (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 0.16, 18.32).

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant association between NAFLD and cardiovascular outcomes independent of conventional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of prevention, early detection, and proper management of NAFLD.

Association between liver fibrosis and stroke recurrence in young patients with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Stroke incidence rates are rising among young adults. Liver fibrosis has recently been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular events and stroke in the general population. It remains unclear whether liver fibrosis influences the prognosis of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the association between liver fibrosis and stroke recurrence in young stroke patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Young adults with first-ever ischemic stroke were enrolled from a prospective stroke registry and were followed up for stroke recurrence. Liver fibrosis was evaluated by Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and was stratified into three categories. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between liver fibrosis and stroke recurrence. Over a median follow-up of 3.1 (1.7-4.6) years, 72 (11.6%) recurrent strokes occurred among 621 patients. According to the FIB-4 score, 73 (11.7%) patients had indeterminate fibrosis, while 11 (1.8%) had advanced fibrosis. Univariate Cox analysis revealed that patients with a high FIB-4 score were more likely to experience stroke recurrence than those with a low FIB-4 score (hazard ratio 3.748, 95% confidence interval 1.359-10.332, P = 0.011). After adjusting for potential confounders in the multivariate analysis, FIB-4 score remained an independent risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Young stroke patients with advanced liver fibrosis were at a greater risk of stroke recurrence. Evaluating liver fibrosis may provide valuable information for stroke risk stratification, and the FIB-4 score could serve as a useful tool.

What Does Sarcopenia Have to Do with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. As the second stage of developing steatosis, nonalcoholic hepatitis (NASH) carries the risk of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Sarcopenia is defined as a condition characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and functional decline. Both NAFLD and sarcopenia are global problems. The pathophysiological mechanisms that link the two entities of the disease are insulin resistance, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, impairment of myostatin and adiponectin, or physical inactivity. Furthermore, disorders of the gut-liver axis appear to induce the process of developing NAFLD and sarcopenia. The correlations between NAFLD and sarcopenia appear to be bidirectional, so the main objective of the review was to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between the two diseases.

How non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis affect the heart

Liver diseases affect the heart and the vascular system. Cardiovascular complications appear to be a leading cause of death in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis. The predominant histological changes in the liver range from steatosis to fibrosis to cirrhosis, which can each affect the cardiovascular system differently. Patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) and NAFLD are at increased risk of impaired systolic and diastolic dysfunction and for suffering major cardiovascular events. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms behind these risks differ depending on the nature of the liver disease. Accurate assessment of symptoms by contemporary diagnostic modalities is essential for identifying patients at risk, for evaluating candidates for treatment, and prior to any invasive procedures. This review explores current perspectives within this field.

Impact of fibrosis on liver-related event incidence in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A multicenter observational study

AIM

There are few reports on the prognosis of liver-related events in Japanese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We undertook an observational study to compare the prognosis between fibrotic and nonfibrotic groups in Japanese NAFLD patients.

METHODS

Prognosis in 393 NAFLD patients who underwent liver biopsy between April 2013 and April 2015 at multiple centers were investigated. The time to onset of liver-related events, cardiovascular events, development of extrahepatic cancers, and death were compared between the pathologically fibrotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) group and nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) + nonfibrotic NASH group. A similar analysis was carried out based on the fibrotic classification diagnosed using four noninvasive fibrosis prediction models.

RESULTS

The mean age and body mass index at the time of liver biopsy was 55.7 years old and 28.04 kg/m2 , respectively The cumulative incidence of liver-related events at 1080 days after liver biopsy was 5.79% in the pathologically fibrotic NASH group and 0% in the NAFL + nonfibrotic NASH group, with a significant difference (p = 0.0334). The cumulative incidence of liver-related events was significantly higher in the positive group for the prediction model than in the negative group in all four models (all p values were <0.0001). There was no significant difference between the pathologically fibrotic NASH group and NAFL + nonfibrotic NASH group in terms of cumulative incidence of cardiovascular events, development of extrahepatic cancers, and death.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of liver-related events was significantly higher in the fibrotic NASH group than that of the NAFL + nonfibrotic NASH group in Japanese NAFLD patients.

Liver disease is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes - A UK Biobank study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We investigated whether early signs of liver disease (measured by iron-corrected T1-mapping [cT1]) were associated with an increased risk of major CVD events.

METHODS

Liver disease activity (cT1) and fat (proton density fat fraction [PDFF]) were measured using LiverMultiScan® between January 2016 and February 2020 in the UK Biobank imaging sub-study. Using multivariable Cox regression, we explored associations between liver cT1 (MRI) and primary CVD (coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation [AF], embolism/vascular events, heart failure [HF] and stroke), and CVD hospitalisation and all-cause mortality. Liver blood biomarkers, general metabolism biomarkers, and demographics were also included. Subgroup analysis was conducted in those without metabolic syndrome (defined as at least three of: a large waist, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased systolic blood pressure, or elevated haemoglobin A1c).

RESULTS

A total of 33,616 participants (mean age 65 years, mean BMI 26 kg/m2, mean haemoglobin A1c 35 mmol/mol) had complete MRI liver data with linked clinical outcomes (median time to major CVD event onset: 1.4 years [range: 0.002-5.1]; follow-up: 2.5 years [range: 1.1-5.2]). Liver disease activity (cT1), but not liver fat (PDFF), was associated with higher risk of any major CVD event (hazard ratio 1.14; 95% CI 1.03-1.26; p = 0.008), AF (1.30; 1.12-1.51; p <0.001); HF (1.30; 1.09-1.56; p= 0.004); CVD hospitalisation (1.27; 1.18-1.37; p <0.001) and all-cause mortality (1.19; 1.02-1.38; p = 0.026). FIB-4 index was associated with HF (1.06; 1.01-1.10; p = 0.007). Risk of CVD hospitalisation was independently associated with cT1 in individuals without metabolic syndrome (1.26; 1.13-1.4; p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Liver disease activity, by cT1, was independently associated with a higher risk of incident CVD and all-cause mortality, independent of pre-existing metabolic syndrome, liver fibrosis or fat.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is associated with a twofold greater incidence of cardiovascular disease. Our work shows that early liver disease on iron-corrected T1 mapping was associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular disease (14%), cardiovascular disease hospitalisation (27%) and all-cause mortality (19%). These findings highlight the prognostic relevance of a comprehensive evaluation of liver health in populations at risk of CVD and/or CLD, even in the absence of clinical manifestations or metabolic syndrome, when there is an opportunity to modify/address risk factors and prevent disease progression. As such, they are relevant to patients, carers, clinicians, and policymakers.

Liver fibrosis is associated with an increased risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

Liver fibrosis is a risk factor for liver-related adverse outcomes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, the non-invasive Hepamet fibrosis score (HFS) has been validated as a tool capable to identify with good diagnostic accuracy subjects with advanced liver fibrosis. It is unsettled whether HFS is capable to identify individuals at higher risk of CVD. To investigate whether individuals with liver fibrosis measured with HFS have higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in adults participating in the CATAnzaro MEtabolic RIsk factors (CATAMERI) study.

METHODS

Participants (n = 2948) were divided into three groups according to HFS: low risk of fibrosis (<0.12); intermediate risk of fibrosis (≥0.12 to <0.47); high risk of fibrosis (≥0.47). The association between the liver fibrosis risk and MI was analysed by a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

As compared with those having the lowest risk (5.3%), a higher proportion of subjects with moderate or high risk of liver fibrosis had MI (12.9% and 24.4%, respectively; p < 0.001). In a logistic regression analysis, individuals at increased risk of liver fibrosis exhibited a threefold increased risk of having MI as compared to those with low risk (OR 3.18; 95% CI 1.31-7.70) independently of confounders including smoking, cholesterol, triglycerides, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering and glucose-lowering therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cross-sectional study, individuals with higher values of HFS show a higher risk of MI, suggesting that HFS may be a useful tool to identify not only individuals with liver fibrosis but also those at the increased risk of CVD.

Impacts of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease on Acute Coronary Syndrome: Evidence and Controversies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are two clinically common disease entities that share numerous risk factors. This review aimed to discuss the impacts of NAFLD on ACS.

RECENT FINDINGS

In an era of improved control of traditional risk factors, the substantial burden of cardiometabolic abnormalities has caused widespread concern. NAFLD is considered the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome, which can exert an impact on human health beyond the liver. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that NAFLD is closely related to cardiovascular disease, especially coronary artery disease. Interestingly, although recent data have suggested an association between NAFLD and the incidence and outcomes of ACS, the results are not consistent. In this review, we comprehensively summarized evidence and controversies regarding whether NAFLD is a contributor to either the development of ACS or worse outcomes in patients with ACS. The potential pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the impacts of NAFLD on ACS were also elucidated.

Assessing the Impact of PCSK9 and HMGCR Inhibition on Liver Function: Drug-Target Mendelian Randomization Analyses in Four Ancestries

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Observational studies have linked lipid-lowering drug targets pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) with adverse liver outcomes; however, liver disease incidence varies across diverse populations, and the long-term hepatic impact of these lipid-lowering drugs among non-white Europeans remains largely unknown.

METHODS

We use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PCSK9 and HMGCR loci from genome-wide association study data of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in 4 populations (East Asian [EAS], South Asian [SAS], African [AFR], and European [EUR]) to perform drug-target Mendelian randomization investigating relationships between PCSK9 and HMGCR inhibition and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin.

RESULTS

Analyses of PCSK9 instruments, including functional variants R46L and E670G, failed to find evidence for relationships of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering via PCSK9 variants and adverse effects on ALT, AST, GGT, or ALP among the cohorts. PCSK9 inhibition was associated with increased direct bilirubin levels in EUR (β = 0.089; P value = 5.69 × 10-6) and, nominally, in AFR (β = 0.181; P value = .044). HMGCR inhibition was associated with reduced AST in SAS (β = -0.705; P value = .005) and, nominally, reduced AST in EAS (β = -0.096; P value = .03), reduced ALP in EUR (β = -2.078; P value = .014), and increased direct bilirubin in EUR (β = 0.071; P value = .032). Sensitivity analyses using genetic instruments derived from circulating PCSK9 protein levels, tissue-specific PCSK9 expression, and HMGCR expression were in alignment, strengthening causal inference.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find ALT, AST, GGT, or ALP associated with genetically proxied PCSK9 and HMGCR inhibition across ancestries. We identified possible relationships in several ancestries between PCSK9 and increased direct and total bilirubin and between HMGCR and reduced AST. These findings support long-term safety profiles and low hepatotoxic risk of PCSK9 and HMGCR inhibition in diverse populations.

Analysis of the detection rate and related factors of fatty liver disease in physical examination of healthy population in Chengdu district

BACKGROUND

In the present study, we analyzed the detection rate and related influencing factors of fatty liver in the health examination population in Chengdu area.

METHODS

The case-control study was performed to compare the gender, age (years), body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking, abnormal lipid metabolism, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia Is there any statistically significant difference in the detection rate of diseases such as metabolic syndrome, and logistic regression analysis is conducted to analyze the comprehensive impact of each influencing factor on the prevention of fatty liver disease.

RESULTS

Among 14,426 survey subjects, a total of 6717 patients with fatty liver were detected, with a detection rate of 47.22%. There are significant differences in the incidence of fatty liver disease among different gender groups, with the incidence rate in males being significantly higher than that in females (P < .05); The incidence of fatty liver in elderly subjects was significantly higher than that in middle-aged and young subjects (P < .05); The prevalence rate of individuals with a BMI > 24 was significantly higher than that of individuals with a BMI < 24 (P < .05). The prevalence of fatty liver in the population with abnormal lipid metabolism, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, metabolic syndrome and other diseases was significantly higher (P < .05); After stratified analysis by gender and age, the incidence of fatty liver in males was significantly higher than that in females in the 3 age groups < 60 years old (P < .05); In the age group ≥ 60 years old, the difference in the incidence of fatty liver disease between males and females was significantly reduced, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

The health screening of patients with fatty liver should be carried out regularly, and attention should be paid to the intervention and prevention of overweight people and people with basal metabolism diseases such as hyperglycemia and hypertension, so as to reduce the incidence of fatty liver.

Associations of MAFLD and MAFLD subtypes with the risk of the incident myocardial infarction and stroke

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a condition characterized by liver fat accumulation and metabolic abnormalities. Given the potential impact of MAFLD on patient health, it is important to understand its association with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. In the prospective UK Biobank cohort, we sought to elucidate the association of MAFLD and its subtypes with incident MI and stroke. In this study, we analyzed the data of 325,129 participants in the UK Biobank and calculated relative risks for MI and stroke using Cox regression analysis. Among 325,129 participants over a median duration of 12.8 years follow-up, participants with MAFLD were significantly more likely to experience a MI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.29;1.41] P < 0.001) or a stroke (HR = 1.26 [1.18-1.33] P < 0.001) compared to those without MAFLD. In addition, diabetic, overweight with metabolic dysfunction (MD), and lean MAFLD subtypes were significantly associated with an increased risk for MI and stroke, whereas overweight without MD subtype did not appear to be associated with this risk. Our findings also revealed graded associations between liver fibrosis scores and risk of MI and stroke in MAFLD patients. However, only diabetic, and overweight patients with MD subtypes exhibited graded associations between liver fibrosis score and the risk of MI and stroke among the MAFLD subtypes. Furthermore, the risk alleles traits of fatty liver did not enhance the effect of MAFLD on the risk of MI and stroke. In conclusion, a diagnosis of MAFLD is associated with an increased risk of MI or stroke, and the assessment of MAFLD and its subtypes should be a component of the cardiovascular risk assessment.

Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atrial fibrillation and other clinical outcomes: a meta-analysis

The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes, as well as their clinical impact, has yet to be established in the literature. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between the NAFLD patients and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure (HF), stroke, cardiovascular mortality (CVM), and revascularization incidence. We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries for relevant articles from inception until August 2022. A total of 12 cohort studies with 18,055,072 patients (2,938,753 NAFLD vs 15,116,319 non-NAFLD) were included in our analysis. The mean age of the NAFLD patients group and the non-NAFLD group was comparable (55.68 vs 55.87). The most common comorbidities among the NAFLD patients group included hypertension (38% vs 24%) and diabetes mellitus (14% vs 8%). The mean follow-up duration was 6.26 years. The likelihood of AF (risk ratio (RR), 1.42 (95% CI 1.19, 1.68), p < 0.001), HF (RR, 1.43(95% CI 1.03, 2.00), p < 0.001), stroke (RR, 1.26(95% CI 1.16, 1.36), p < 0.001), revascularization (RR, 4.06(95% CI 1.44, 11.46), p = 0.01), and CVM (RR, 3.10(95% CI 1.43, 6.73), p < 0.001) was significantly higher in the NAFLD patients group compared to that of the non-NAFLD group. However, all-cause mortality was comparable between both the groups of patients (RR, 1.30 (95% CI 0.63, 2.67), p = 0.48). In conclusion, the patients with NAFLD are at increased risk of AF, HF, and CVM.

An international multidisciplinary consensus statement on MAFLD and the risk of CVD

BACKGROUND

Fatty liver disease in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption is an increasingly common condition with a global prevalence of ~ 25-30% and is also associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since systemic metabolic dysfunction underlies its pathogenesis, the term metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed for this condition. MAFLD is closely intertwined with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherogenic dyslipidemia, which are established cardiovascular risk factors. Unlike CVD, which has received attention in the literature on fatty liver disease, the CVD risk associated with MAFLD is often underestimated, especially among Cardiologists.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A multidisciplinary panel of fifty-two international experts comprising Hepatologists, Endocrinologists, Diabetologists, Cardiologists and Family Physicians from six continents (Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Oceania) participated in a formal Delphi survey and developed consensus statements on the association between MAFLD and the risk of CVD. Statements were developed on different aspects of CVD risk, ranging from epidemiology to mechanisms, screening, and management.

CONCULSIONS

The expert panel identified important clinical associations between MAFLD and the risk of CVD that could serve to increase awareness of the adverse metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes of MAFLD. Finally, the expert panel also suggests potential areas for future research.

Large-scale identification of undiagnosed hepatic steatosis using natural language processing

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity in people with and without diabetes, but it is underdiagnosed, posing challenges for research and clinical management. Here, we determine if natural language processing (NLP) of data in the electronic health record (EHR) could identify undiagnosed patients with hepatic steatosis based on pathology and radiology reports.

Methods

A rule-based NLP algorithm was built using a Linguamatics literature text mining tool to search 2.15 million pathology report and 2.7 million imaging reports in the Penn Medicine EHR from November 2014, through December 2020, for evidence of hepatic steatosis. For quality control, two independent physicians manually reviewed randomly chosen biopsy and imaging reports (n = 353, PPV 99.7%).

Findings

After exclusion of individuals with other causes of hepatic steatosis, 3007 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 42,083 patients with imaging-proven NAFLD were identified. Interestingly, elevated ALT was not a sensitive predictor of the presence of steatosis, and only half of the biopsied patients with steatosis ever received an ICD diagnosis code for the presence of NAFLD/NASH. There was a robust association for PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 risk alleles and steatosis identified by NLP. We identified 234 disorders that were significantly over- or underrepresented in all subjects with steatosis and identified changes in serum markers (e.g., GGT) associated with presence of steatosis.

Interpretation

This study demonstrates clear feasibility of NLP-based approaches to identify patients whose steatosis was indicated in imaging and pathology reports within a large healthcare system and uncovers undercoding of NAFLD in the general population. Identification of patients at risk could link them to improved care and outcomes.

Funding

The study was funded by US and German funding sources that did provide financial support only and had no influence or control over the research process.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies on the potential association between NAFLD/MAFLD and risk of incident atrial fibrillation

Background and objective

The association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been explored in recent cohort studies, however, the results have been controversial and inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to explore this potential association.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify all relevant cohort studies investigating the association between NAFLD/MAFLD and AF published from database inception to October 30, 2022. Random-effects models were utilized to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for summary purposes. Additionally, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 13 cohort studies with 14 272 735 participants were included. Among these, 12 cohort studies with 14 213 289 participants (median follow-up of 7.8 years) showed a significant association between NAFLD and an increased risk of incident AF (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12-1.23, P < 0.00001). Our subgroup analyses mostly yielded similar results, and the results of sensitivity analyses remained unchanged. However, meta-analysis of data from 2 cohort studies with 59 896 participants (median follow-up of 2.15 years) showed that MAFLD was not linked to incident AF (HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.63-2.92, P = 0.44).

Conclusion

Current evidence shows that NAFLD may be linked to a slightly higher risk of developing AF, particularly among Asian populations and those diagnosed with NAFLD using FLI criteria. Nevertheless, there is not enough evidence to support the proposed association between MAFLD and an increased risk of AF. To better understand this relationship, future studies should consider factors such as specific population, the severity of NAFLD/MAFLD, diagnostic methods of NAFLD and AF, and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42022371503.

Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Advanced Liver Disease Have the Lowest Cardiorespiratory Fitness

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cardiorespiratory fitness and liver fibrosis are independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), however, conflicting reports exist about their relationship. We aimed to better characterize the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and liver histology in a cross-sectional study of patients with biopsy-proven NASH.

METHODS

Participants aged 18-75 years completed VO2peak fitness assessment using symptom-limited graded exercise testing. Participants were compared by liver fibrosis stage and NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). Multivariable models were constructed to assess factors related to relative VO2peak, including liver fibrosis and NAS.

RESULTS

Thirty-five participants with mean age 48 ± 12 years and body mass index 33.5 ± 7.6 kg/m2 were enrolled. Seventy-four percent of participants were female and 49% had diabetes. A dose-dependent relationship was found between relative VO2peak and liver fibrosis. Relative VO2peak was significantly lower in participants with advanced fibrosis (F3 disease- 15.7 ± 5.3 vs. ≤ F2 disease- 20.7 ± 5.9 mL/kg/min, p = 0.027). NAS > 5 was also associated with lower relative VO2peak (22.6 ± 5.7 vs. 16.5 ± 5.1 mL/kg/min, p = 0.012) compared to NAS ≤ 5. With multivariable modeling, advanced fibrosis remained independently predictive of relative VO2peak while NAS trended towards significance.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Advanced liver fibrosis is independently associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with NASH. This may explain the incremental increase in mortality as liver fibrosis stage increases. Further research is needed to determine if exercise training can improve cardiorespiratory fitness across multiple stages of liver fibrosis and directly reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with NASH.

The impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis on adverse clinical outcomes and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study using the UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) frequently co-exist. We assess the impact of having NAFLD on adverse clinical outcomes and all-cause mortality for people with CKD.

METHODS

A total of 18,073 UK Biobank participants identified to have CKD (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² or albuminuria > 3 mg/mmol) were prospectively followed up by electronic linkage to hospital and death records. Cox-regression estimated the hazard ratios (HR) associated with having NAFLD (elevated hepatic steatosis index or ICD-code) and NAFLD fibrosis (elevated fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score or NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS)) on cardiovascular events (CVE), progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

56.2% of individuals with CKD had NAFLD at baseline, and 3.0% and 7.7% had NAFLD fibrosis according to a FIB-4 > 2.67 and NFS ≥ 0.676, respectively. The median follow-up was 13 years. In univariate analysis, NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of CVE (HR 1.49 [1.38-1.60]), all-cause mortality (HR 1.22 [1.14-1.31]) and ESRD (HR 1.26 [1.02-1.54]). Following multivariable adjustment, NAFLD remained an independent risk factor for CVE overall (HR 1.20 [1.11-1.30], p < 0.0001), but not ACM or ESRD. In univariate analysis, elevated NFS and FIB-4 scores were associated with increased risk of CVE (HR 2.42 [2.09-2.80] and 1.64 [1.30-2.08]) and all-cause mortality (HR 2.82 [2.48-3.21] and 1.82 [1.47-2.24]); the NFS score was also associated with ESRD (HR 5.15 [3.52-7.52]). Following full adjustment, the NFS remained associated with an increased incidence of CVE (HR 1.19 [1.01-1.40]) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.31 [1.13-1.52]).

CONCLUSIONS

In people with CKD, NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of CVE, and the NAFLD fibrosis score is associated with an elevated risk of CVE and worse survival.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as an Emerging Risk Factor and Potential Intervention Target for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases

ABSTRACT

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an underappreciated independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). In recent years, the risk of ASCVD has increased along with the prevalence of NAFLD. ASCVD events are highly prevalent and are the main contributor to death in patients with NAFLD. The association between NAFLD and ASCVD has been validated in numerous observational, cohort, and genetic studies. Most of these studies agree that NAFLD significantly increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis and ASCVD. In addition, the underlying proatherosclerotic mechanisms of NAFLD have been gradually revealed; both disorders share several common pathophysiologic mechanisms including insulin resistance, whereas systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia driven by NAFLD directly promote atherosclerosis. Recently, NAFLD, as an emerging risk enhancer for ASCVD, has attracted attention as a potential treatment target for ASCVD. This brief review aims to illustrate the potential mechanistic insights, present recent clinically relevant investigations, and further explore the emerging therapies such as novel antidiabetic and lipid-lowering agents that could improve NAFLD and reduce ASCVD risk.

Impact of metabolic factors on risk of cardiovascular disease in nondiabetic metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Changing terminology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is recently proposed by expert panels based on metabolic dysregulations. However, clinical evidences for the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in MAFLD are limited. The aim of this study is evaluating the association of cardiovascular risk in these two terminology and subgroups of MAFLD.

METHODS

A total of 2133 individuals who underwent ultrasound and cardiac computed tomography contemporaneously were included at a single medical checkup center. Ultrasound was used to define fatty liver, and coronary artery calcification (CAC) defined a coronary artery calcium score above 0 was used to estimate the cardiovascular risk.

RESULTS

Overall, 911 participants were diagnosed with fatty liver. In the unadjusted analysis, NAFLD (OR = 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.85, p = 0.019) and MAFLD (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.29-1.86, p = 0.046) were significantly associated with CAC. However, in sex and age-adjusted analyses, only MAFLD was associated with CAC (adjusted OR [aOR] = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.14-1.69, p = 0.001). Of the three subgroups of MAFLD (diabetic, nondiabetic overweight/obese, and nondiabetic normal weight/lean with at least two metabolic abnormalities), only diabetic MAFLD was associated with CAC (aOR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.98-3.55, p < 0.001). When the minimal number of metabolic risk abnormalities increased to three, nondiabetic normal-weight/lean MAFLD was associated with CAC (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.02-1.77, p = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

Diabetic MAFLD predicted high-risk CVD phenotypes the best. Metabolic risk abnormalities in nondiabetic MAFLD patients were independently associated with the risk of CVD. The proposed diagnostic criteria for nondiabetic MAFLD need further investigation in terms of CVD risk.

Geographical similarity and differences in the burden and genetic predisposition of NAFLD

NAFLD has become a major public health problem for more than 2 decades with a growing prevalence in parallel with the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The disease burden of NAFLD differs across geographical regions and ethnicities. Variations in prevalence of metabolic diseases, extent of urban-rural divide, dietary habits, lifestyles, and the prevalence of NAFLD risk and protective alleles can contribute to such differences. The rise in NAFLD has led to a remarkable increase in the number of cases of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic decompensation, and liver-related mortality related to NAFLD. Moreover, NAFLD is associated with multiple extrahepatic manifestations. Most of them are risk factors for the progression of liver fibrosis and thus worsen the prognosis of NAFLD. All these comorbidities and complications affect the quality of life in subjects with NAFLD. Given the huge and growing size of the population with NAFLD, it is expected that patients, healthcare systems, and the economy will suffer from the ongoing burden related to NAFLD. In this review, we examine the disease burden of NAFLD across geographical areas and ethnicities, together with the distribution of some well-known genetic variants for NAFLD. We also describe some special populations including patients with T2D, lean patients, the pediatric population, and patients with concomitant liver diseases. We discuss extrahepatic outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, and economic burden related to NAFLD.

Association between liver fibrosis and decreased myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency in individuals with different degree of glucose tolerance

AIM

Decreased myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency (MEEi) is associated with NAFLD and poorer prognosis in liver cirrhosis. We aim to investigate the association between liver fibrosis severity and MEEi in individuals participating in the CATAnzaro MEtabolic RIsk factors (CATAMERI) study.

METHODS

Myocardial MEEi, assessed by an echocardiography-derived measure, and fibrosis severity, estimated by the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), were evaluated in 2383 subjects with different degree of glucose tolerance. Participants were divided into four groups according to FIB-4 index values: lowest risk of fibrosis (<1.3); low risk of fibrosis (≥1.3 to < 1.67); moderate risk of fibrosis (≥1.67 to < 2.67); high risk of fibrosis (≥2.67).

RESULTS

Subjects with higher risk of liver fibrosis displayed a graded decrease in myocardial MEEi compare to those with the lowest risk of liver fibrosis. In a multivariable regression analysis, FIB-4 index was independently associated with MEEi (β = -0.080, P < 0.001), along with total cholesterol (β = -0.067, P = 0.01), hsCRP (β = -0.081, P < 0.001), sex (β = -0.099, P < 0.001), glucose tolerance status (β = -0.109, <0.001) and HOMA-IR index (β = -0.143, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Compromised myocardial MEEi is already reported in individuals with high risk of hepatic fibrosis suggesting that its assessment may help to identify among subjects with NAFLD those with worst prognosis.

Performance of the Pooled Cohort Equations in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether risk scores developed in the general population accurately assess cardiovascular risk in the NAFLD population is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) in NAFLD.

METHODS

Individuals in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis with baseline non-contrast cardiac computed tomography scans with sufficient data to determine the presence of hepatic steatosis were identified and assessed for the development of incident 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The discrimination and calibration of the PCE were evaluated, and the observed and expected events by risk category (<5%, 5-<7.5%, 7.5-<20%, ≥20%) were determined. Risk reclassification with the addition of NAFLD to the PCE was assessed.

RESULTS

Of 4014 participants included, 698 (17.4%) with NAFLD were identified, including 247 (35.3%) with moderate-to-severe steatosis. Discrimination of the PCE was suboptimal in NAFLD (c-statistic 0.69), particularly moderate-to-severe steatosis (0.65), and calibration was overall poor. While risk was overestimated in non-NAFLD, it was underestimated in NAFLD in lower/intermediate risk categories, predominantly in women (5-<7.5% observed/expected ratio = 1.67). The addition of NAFLD to the PCE improved risk classification in women.

CONCLUSIONS

The PCE overall performed suboptimally in cardiovascular risk assessment in NAFLD, particularly in women and individuals with moderate-to-severe steatosis in clinically relevant risk categories. Primary prevention may need to be considered at a lower risk threshold in these groups, and further work is needed to improve risk stratification in this growing high-risk population.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is crucial for type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission because they are linked through the common pathophysiology of insulin resistance and lipotoxicity. One in three patients with T2D has nonalcoholic steatohepatitis leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Noninvasive testing with imaging and/or serum biomarkers can assess the risk for advanced liver disease. A liver biopsy is only necessary in select patients where there is diagnostic doubt. Treatments for NAFLD parallel T2D remission strategies focusing on weight loss and managing comorbid conditions through lifestyle modification, antiobesity medications, and/or bariatric surgery, and T2D medications with proven efficacy.

Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality Related to Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a cardiovascular (CV) risk factor is debated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the CV morbidity and mortality related to NAFLD in the general population, and to determine whether CV risk is comparable between lean and non-lean NAFLD phenotypes. We searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, for observational studies published through 2022 that reported the risk of CV events and mortality. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality, CV mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were assessed through random-effect meta-analysis. We identified 33 studies and a total study population of 10,592,851 individuals (mean age 53±8; male sex 50%; NAFLD 2, 9%). Mean follow-up was 10±6 years. Pooled ORs for all-cause and CV mortality were respectively 1.14 (95% CI, 0.78-1.67) and 1.13 (95% CI, 0.57-2.23), indicating no significant association between NAFLD and mortality. NAFLD was associated with increased risk of MI (OR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5-1.7), stroke (OR: 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1), atrial fibrillation (OR: 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3), and MACCE (OR: 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2). Compared with non-lean NAFLD, lean NAFLD was associated with increased CV mortality (OR: 1.50; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0), but similar all-cause mortality and risk of MACCE. While NAFLD may not be a risk factor for total and CV mortality, it is associated with excess risk of non-fatal CV events. Lean and non-lean NAFLD phenotypes exhibit distinct prognostic profiles and should receive equitable clinical care.

Association of Physical Activity With Risk of Liver Fibrosis, Sarcopenia, and Cardiovascular Disease in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

International guidelines recommend physical activity for subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study investigated the association of physical activity with risk of liver fibrosis, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in NAFLD.

METHODS

In this multicenter, retrospective study, 11,690 NAFLD subjects who underwent a health screening program and were assessed for physical activity (metabolic equivalent task [MET]-min/week) between 2014 and 2020 were recruited. Liver fibrosis was assessed by using the fibrosis-4 index, NAFLD fibrosis score, and FibroScan-AST score, sarcopenia by using multi-frequency bioelectric impedance analysis, and CVD risk by using atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk score, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score were calculated.

RESULTS

The prevalence of fibrosis, sarcopenia, high probability of ASCVD, and high CAC score significantly decreased with increasing quartiles of physical activity (all P for trend <.001). In a fully adjusted model, physical activity above 600 MET-min/week (≥third quartile) was independently associated with a reduced risk of fibrosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.86), sarcopenia (aOR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58-0.88), high probability of ASCVD (aOR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.46-0.73), and high CAC score (aOR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13-0.83; all P <.05). In addition, increasing amounts of physical activity were significantly associated with risk reduction between fibrosis, sarcopenia, and high probability of ASCVD (all P for trend <.001). In subjects with sarcopenic obesity or lean NAFLD, physical activity was also independently associated with reduced risk of fibrosis and high probability of ASCVD (all P <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity showed a protective effect against fibrosis, sarcopenia, and CVD in NAFLD.

Suppressing Hepatic UGT1A1 Increases Plasma Bilirubin, Lowers Plasma Urobilin, Reorganizes Kinase Signaling Pathways and Lipid Species and Improves Fatty Liver Disease

Several population studies have observed lower serum bilirubin levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Yet, treatments to target this metabolic phenotype have not been explored. Therefore, we designed an N-Acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) labeled RNAi to target the enzyme that clears bilirubin from the blood, the UGT1A1 glucuronyl enzyme (GNUR). In this study, male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 60%) for 30 weeks to induce NAFLD and were treated subcutaneously with GNUR or sham (CTRL) once weekly for six weeks while continuing the HFD. The results show that GNUR treatments significantly raised plasma bilirubin levels and reduced plasma levels of the bilirubin catabolized product, urobilin. We show that GNUR decreased liver fat content and ceramide production via lipidomics and lowered fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. We performed extensive kinase activity analyses using our PamGene PamStation kinome technology and found a reorganization of the kinase pathways and a significant decrease in inflammatory mediators with GNUR versus CTRL treatments. These results demonstrate that GNUR increases plasma bilirubin and reduces plasma urobilin, reducing NAFLD and inflammation and improving overall liver health. These data indicate that UGT1A1 antagonism might serve as a treatment for NAFLD and may improve obesity-associated comorbidities.

SWOT analysis of noninvasive tests for diagnosing NAFLD with severe fibrosis: an expert review by the JANIT Forum

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of NAFLD can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, the prognosis of NAFLD/NASH has been reported to be dependent on liver fibrosis degree. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard, but it has several issues that must be addressed, including its invasiveness, cost, and inter-observer diagnosis variability. To solve these issues, a variety of noninvasive tests (NITs) have been in development for the assessment of NAFLD progression, including blood biomarkers and imaging methods, although the use of NITs varies around the world. The aim of the Japan NASH NIT (JANIT) Forum organized in 2020 is to advance the development of various NITs to assess disease severity and/or response to treatment in NAFLD patients from a scientific perspective through multi-stakeholder dialogue with open innovation, including clinicians with expertise in NAFLD/NASH, companies that develop medical devices and biomarkers, and professionals in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to conventional NITs, artificial intelligence will soon be deployed in many areas of the NAFLD landscape. To discuss the characteristics of each NIT, we conducted a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis in this study with the 36 JANIT Forum members (16 physicians and 20 company representatives). Based on this SWOT analysis, the JANIT Forum identified currently available NITs able to accurately select NAFLD patients at high risk of NASH for HCC surveillance/therapeutic intervention and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Gut-derived low-grade endotoxaemia, atherothrombosis and cardiovascular disease

Systemic inflammation has been suggested to have a pivotal role in atherothrombosis, but the factors that trigger systemic inflammation have not been fully elucidated. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of the membrane of Gram-negative bacteria present in the gut that can translocate into the systemic circulation, causing non-septic, low-grade endotoxaemia. Gut dysbiosis is a major determinant of low-grade endotoxaemia via dysfunction of the intestinal barrier scaffold, which is a prerequisite for LPS translocation into the systemic circulation. Experimental studies have demonstrated that LPS is present in atherosclerotic arteries but not in normal arteries. In atherosclerotic plaques, LPS promotes a pro-inflammatory status that can lead to plaque instability and thrombus formation. Low-grade endotoxaemia affects several cell types, including leukocytes, platelets and endothelial cells, leading to inflammation and clot formation. Low-grade endotoxaemia has been described in patients at risk of or with overt cardiovascular disease, in whom low-grade endotoxaemia was associated with atherosclerotic burden and its clinical sequelae. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms favouring the development of low-grade endotoxaemia, focusing on gut dysbiosis and changes in gut permeability; the plausible biological mechanisms linking low-grade endotoxaemia and atherothrombosis; the clinical studies suggesting that low-grade endotoxaemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular events; and the potential therapeutic tools to improve gut permeability and eventually eliminate low-grade endotoxaemia.

FIB-4 Index and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte-Ratio as Death Predictor in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated liver fibrosis is likely related to coronary artery disease (CAD) by the mediation of systemic inflammation. This study aimed at evaluating the predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR) and fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), indices of inflammation and fibrosis, respectively, on CAD mortality. Data from 1460 CAD patients (1151 males, age: 68 ± 10 years, mean ± SD) were retrospectively analyzed. Over a median follow-up of 26 months (interquartile range (IQR) 12−45), 94 deaths were recorded. Kaplan−Meier survival analysis revealed worse outcomes in patients with elevation of one or both biomarkers (FIB-4 > 3.25 or/and NLR > 2.04, log-rank p-value < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the elevation of one biomarker (NLR or FIB-4) still confers a significant independent risk for mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.1−2.7, p = 0.023), whereas an increase in both biomarkers confers a risk corresponding to HR = 3.5 (95% CI: 1.6−7.8, p = 0.002). Categorization of patients with elevated FIB-4/NLR could provide valuable information for risk stratification and reduction of residual risk in CAD patients.

The FIB-4 Index Predicts the Development of Liver-Related Events, Extrahepatic Cancers, and Coronary Vascular Disease in Patients with NAFLD

The prognosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients depends on liver-related events (LREs), extrahepatic cancers, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is one of the most reliable and useful predictors of the degree of liver fibrosis. Recent studies have reported that the FIB-4 index is also useful for predicting LREs and MACEs in NAFLD patients. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic value of the FIB-4 index in NAFLD patients. A total of 506 biopsy-confirmed NAFLD patients from six hepatology centers in Japan from 2002 to 2013 were enrolled in this study. Of these NAFLD patients, 353 were available for more than 100 days of follow-up and did not exhibit events (LREs, extrahepatic cancers, MACEs) at the time of entry. The mean follow-up duration of all the subjects was 2716 ± 1621 days (102-7483 days). New LREs (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 8), decompensation (n = 11), bleeding varices (n = 8)) developed in 18 patients. Twenty-four and twelve patients developed extrahepatic cancers and MACEs, respectively. The median FIB-4 index was 1.255; we divided our cohort into two groups according to this (FIB4 Low, FIB4 Hi). The incidence of HCC tended to be higher in FIB4 Hi (n = 7) than in FIB4 Low (n = 1). The incidence of LREs was significantly higher in FIB4 Hi (n = 17) than in FIB4 Low (n = 1). The incidence of extrahepatic cancers was significantly higher in FIB4 Hi (n = 20) than in FIB4 Low (n = 4); the incidence of MACEs was also significantly higher in FIB4 Hi (n = 10) than in FIB4 Low (n = 2). The FIB-4 index is a useful biomarker for predicting not only LREs but also extrahepatic cancers and MACEs.

Association of liver fibrosis biomarkers with overall and CVD mortality in the Korean population: The Dong-gu study

This study evaluated the associations of liver fibrosis biomarkers [non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI), and BARD score] with mortality in Korean adults aged ≥50 years. We analyzed 7,702 subjects who participated in Dong-gu Study. The associations of liber fibrosis biomarkers with mortality were investigated using Cox proportional hazards models. Overall mortality increased with increasing NFS level [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3-5.5 for high risk vs. low risk], increasing FIB-4 level (aHR 3.5, 95% CI 2.9-4.4 for high risk vs. low risk), and increasing APRI level (aHR 3.5, 95% CI 2.1-5.8 for high risk vs. low risk) but not with BARD score. The Harrell's concordance index for overall mortality for the NFS and FIB-4 was greater than that for the APRI and BARD score. In conclusion, NFS, FIB-4, and APRI showed a significant relationship with the overall mortality, and NFS and FIB-4 showed a significant relationship with the CVD mortality after adjustment for covariates. In addition, the NFS and FIB-4 were more predictive of overall mortality than the APRI and BARD score in Korean adults aged ≥50 years.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and implications for cardiovascular risk and disease prevention

The newly proposed term "metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease" (MAFLD) is replacing the old term "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease" (NAFLD) in many global regions, because it better reflects the pathophysiology and cardiometabolic implications of this common liver disease. The proposed change in terminology from NAFLD to MAFLD is not simply a single-letter change in an acronym, since MAFLD is defined by a set of specific and positive diagnostic criteria. In particular, the MAFLD definition specifically incorporates within the classification recognized cardiovascular risk factors. Although convincing evidence supports a significant association between both NAFLD and MAFLD, with increased risk of CVD morbidity and mortality, neither NAFLD nor MAFLD have received sufficient attention from the Cardiology community. In fact, there is a paucity of scientific guidelines focusing on this common and burdensome liver disease from cardiovascular professional societies. This Perspective article discusses the rationale and clinical relevance for Cardiologists of the newly proposed MAFLD definition.

Subclinical and clinical atherosclerosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with the presence of hypertension

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, it is unclear whether NAFLD contributes independently to the development of CV disease. Our study aimed at assessing the differences in several indices of atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness and cardiac morphology among patients with isolated NAFLD, isolated hypertension (HT) or a combination of the two conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 169 participants (mean age = 50.4 ± 10.2 yrs; males = 73.6%) were divided according to the presence of NAFLD and HT into three groups: only NAFLD (55 patients), only HT (49 patients), and NAFLD + HT (65 patients). Exclusion criteria were a BMI≥35 kg/m² and a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Carotid ultrasonography was performed to measure markers of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness. Cardiac remodeling was analyzed using echocardiography. The prevalence of subclinical and overt atherosclerosis was significantly higher in the NAFLD + HT patients as compared to the other two groups (atherosclerotic plaques: 43.1%, 10.9%, and 22.4% (p < 0.001) in NAFLD + HT, NAFLD, and HT groups, respectively). No differences were found among indices of arterial stiffening and cardiac remodeling across the three groups. In multivariate regression analysis, the coexistence of NAFLD and HT was an independent risk factor for overt atherosclerosis (OR = 4.88, CI 95% 1.14-20.93), while no association was found when either NAFLD or HT was considered alone.

CONCLUSION

Overt atherosclerosis was significantly present only in NAFLD + HT patients, but not in patients with isolated NAFLD. This implies that the impact of NAFLD on vascular structure and function could depend on the coexistence of other major CV risk factors, such as HT.

Comprehensive Review of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a growing global phenomenon, and its damaging effects in terms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk are becoming more apparent. NAFLD is estimated to affect around one quarter of the world population and is often comorbid with other metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and metabolic syndrome. In this review, we examine the current evidence describing the many ways that NAFLD itself increases CVD risk. We also discuss the emerging and complex biochemical relationship between NAFLD and its common comorbid conditions, and how they coalesce to increase CVD risk. With NAFLD's rising prevalence and deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, a complete understanding of the disease must be undertaken, as well as effective strategies to prevent and treat its common comorbid conditions.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease screening in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cost-effectiveness and price threshold analysis

Introduction: The cost-effectiveness of screening asymptomatic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients remains debatable, with current studies assuming lifelong benefits of NAFLD screening while neglecting cardiovascular outcomes. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of NAFLD screening among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and to establish a price threshold for NAFLD treatment, when it becomes available. Method: A Markov model was constructed comparing 4 screening strategies (versus no screening) to identify NAFLD with advanced fibrosis among T2DM patients: fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), FIB-4 and VCTE (simultaneous), and FIB-4 and VCTE (sequential). Sensitivity analyses and price threshold analyses were performed to assess parameter uncertainties in the results. Results: VCTE was the most cost-effective NAFLD screening strategy (USD24,727/quality-adjusted life year [QALY]), followed by FIB-4 (USD36,800/QALY), when compared to no screening. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed a higher degree of certainty for VCTE as a cost-effective strategy compared to FIB-4 (90.7% versus 73.2%). The duration of expected screening benefit is the most influential variable based on incremental cost-effectiveness ratio tornado analysis. The minimum duration of screening benefit for NAFLD screening to be cost-effective was at least 2.6 years. The annual cost of NAFLD treatment should be less than USD751 for NAFLD screening to be cost-effective. Conclusion: Both VCTE and FIB-4 are cost-effective NAFLD screening strategies among T2DM patients in Singapore. However, given the lack of access to VCTE at primacy care and potential budget constraints, FIB-4 can also be considered for NAFLD screening among T2DM patients in Singapore. Keywords: Cost-effectiveness analysis, fatty liver, screening, liver fibrosis, population health

Liver fibrosis scores and prognosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between liver fibrosis scores and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease remains unclear.

METHODS

Searching from PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases yielded cohort studies that reported adjusted effect size between liver fibrosis scores (Fibrosis-4 score [FIB-4] or NAFLD fibrosis score [NFS]) and prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease. The effect size was computed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included twelve cohort studies involving 25,252 patients with cardiovascular disease. Participants with the highest baseline level of FIB-4 or NFS had a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events (FIB-4, HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.53-2.00, I ²  = 0%; NFS, HR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.50-2.47, I ²  = 47%). This finding was consistent with the analysis of FIB-4 or NFS as a continuous variable (per 1-unit increment FIB-4, HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06-1.24, I ²  = 72%; NFS, HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07-1.24, I ²  = 71%). Furthermore, participants with the highest levels of FIB-4 or NFS had a greater risk of cardiovascular mortality (FIB-4, HR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.19-3.61, I ²  = 89%; NFS, HR: 3.72, 95% CI: 2.62-5.29, I ²  = 60%) and all-cause mortality (FIB-4, HR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.24-2.66, I ²  = 90%; NFS, HR: 3.49, 95% CI: 2.82-4.31, I ²  = 25%). This result was also consistent as a continuous variable.

CONCLUSION

Higher levels of FIB-4 and NFS are related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease.