Background: Both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are closely related to many metabolic disorders. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) is a reliable noninvasive method in demonstrating coronary plaque. However, the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and NAFLD remains controversial.
Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between CAC score and NAFLD.
Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 295 consecutive asymptomatic subjects who had both coronary angiography by MSCT and hepatobiliary imaging during self-paid physical check-ups.
Results: NAFLD was found in 41% of the enrolled 295 subjects; gall bladder stones were found in 10.8%, and CAC > 100 with moderate-high risk of CAD was found in 12.9% of subjects. Male gender (odds ratios (OR), 3.087; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.092-8.729), increased age (OR, 1.108; 95% CI, 1.067-1.151), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR, 2.968; 95% CI, 1.129-7.803), and NAFLD (OR, 2.462; 95% CI, 1.065-5.691) were the independent factors that increased the risk of CAC > 100 in binary logistic regression. The prevalence of NAFLD also increased with the severity of CAC score (<or=100, 38.1%; 101-400, 58.3%; >400, 64.3%; P = 0.03).
Conclusions: Besides the traditional risk factors, such as male gender, increased age, and DM, NAFLD was also associated with moderate to high risk of CAD (CAC > 100).