Association between Increased Carotid Intima Media Thickness and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the association between increased carotid intima media thickness and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methodology: This Case Control Study was carried out in Outpatient Department of Diagnostic Radiology, PAF Hospital Islamabad. It included all patients presenting in department of radiology. US examination was done to detect the presence of NAFLD. CIMT was measured in both the patient groups with and without NAFLD.

Results: The mean age of all subjects was 49.38 ± 0.59 years while the mean age of cases and controls was 50.04 ± 0.8 and 48.72 ± 0.87. In cases there were 83(53.55%) male and 72(46.45%) female cases while in controls there were 75(48.39%) male and 80(51.61%) female cases. Among cases and controls there were 29(18.7%) and 16(10.3%) subjects who had raised CIMT, with significant association, p-value < 0.05, and OR = 2.00 (1.037-3.854). 

Conclusion: In our study, CIMT was significantly raised in NAFLD group as compared to control groups. This study will help the primary care physicians to better understand the role of measuring CIMT, hence avoiding future CVD complications & deaths in NAFLD patients.