Previous epidemiologic studies have shown the clinical association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is only limited information about the effect of NAFLD on the development of hypertension. Accordingly, we investigated the clinical association between NAFLD and prehypertension. A prospective cohort study was conducted on the 11,350 Korean men without prehypertension for 5 yr. The incidences of prehypertension were evaluated, and Cox proportional hazard model was used to measure the hazard ratios (HRs) for the development of prehypertension according to the degree of NAFLD (normal, mild, moderate to severe). The incidence of prehypertension increased according to NAFLD states (normal: 55.5%, mild: 63.7%, moderate to severe: 70.3%, P<0.001). Even after adjusting for multiple covariates, the HRs (95% confidence interval) for prehypertension were higher in the mild group (1.18; 1.07-1.31) and moderate to severe group (1.62; 1.21-2.17), compared to normal group, respectively (P for trend <0.001). The development of prehypertension is more potentially associated with the more progressive NAFLD than normal and milder state. These findings suggest the clinical significance of NAFLD as one of risk factors for prehypertension.
BP and HbA1c may be useful tools in identifying individuals with prediabetes more potentially predisposed to T2DM. Prospective studies should be considered to examine whether controlling BP actually lowers the risk for T2DM.
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