Correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and carotid Intima-Media thickness in patient with type II diabetes

Abstract

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a very prevalent condition determined by the infiltration of fat of liver cells. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between NAFLD and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) in patient with type II diabetes. This case-control study included three groups, including those with type II diabetes without NAFLD (n = 85), those with type II diabetes and NAFLD (n = 85) and non-diabetic individuals with only NAFLD (n = 85). The CIMT and the grading of the NAFLD were determined using an ultrasound B-mode. There was no significant difference between the case and control groups in term of overall mean of age (57±10 years vs. 56.9±8 years, respectively). Considering the two factors (diabetes and NAFLD) effect, with adjustment for age and gender as a confounding effect of diabetes (p = 0.01) and NAFLD (p = 0.022) on CIMT was significant. The mean right CIMT, left CIMT and overall CIMT in three different study groups of diabetic patients, according to various NAFLD grading showed no significant difference. Our findings showed a considerable association between NAFLD and increased CIMT, in which this association is not affected by the severity of fatty liver. So, immediate ultrasound screening and treatment for the patients with NAFLD are recommended to prevent CVD complications such as atherosclerosis considering early stages of fatty liver disease.