Clinical Significance of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as a Risk Factor for Prehypertension

Abstract

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.

Effect of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease on left ventricular diastolic function and geometry in the Korean general population

“…This finding corresponds with previous studies showing the positive relationship between NAFLD and LV functional and structural alteration, and suggests that more progressed NAFLD carries the higher risk for cardiac problems. Additionally, despite any concern for the diagnostic accuracy of US in diagnosing NAFLD, this finding implies the clinical usefulness of US in diagnosing NAFLD, as in previous studies …”

“…We used a quantitative grading system to assess the degree of fatty infiltration in study participants Normal (grade 0): Hepatic parenchymal echogenicity is usually equal to that of the renal cortex. Mild fatty liver (grade 1): Diffuse slight increase in fine echoes in the hepatic parenchyma with normal visualization of the diaphragm and intrahepatic vessel borders. Moderate fatty liver (grade 2): Moderate diffuse increase in fine echoes with slightly impaired visualization of the intrahepatic vessels and diaphragm. Severe fatty liver (Grade 3): Marked increase in fine echoes with poor or no visualization of the intrahepatic vessel borders, diaphragm and posterior portion of the right lobe of the liver. …”

“…Additionally, despite any concern for the diagnostic accuracy of US in diagnosing NAFLD, this finding implies the clinical usefulness of US in diagnosing NAFLD, as in previous studies. [22][23][24][25] Second, LV structural changes related with NAFLD featured concentric remodeling. Interestingly, any significant relationship between NAFLD and the LVMI (index to height 2.7 ) was not found both in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study and the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.…”

Increased Levels of Systolic Blood Pressure Within the Normal Range Are Associated With Significantly Elevated Risks of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…This finding may indicate that an increase level in normal SBP may not bring a significant risk of NAFLD in subjects with overweight, consistent with previous data. 29 Actually, BMI was strongly related with BP. A cohort of more than 700,000 subjects showed a positive near-linear association between BMI and BP with no threshold effect.…”

Gender-based differences in the relationship between fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis

“…Patients with fatty liver disease have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, and it was found to be an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease 7-9. The prevalence of fatty liver disease is different between men and women and between younger and older individuals 10.…”