Cardiovascular risk across the histological spectrum and the clinical manifestations of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An update.
Title | Cardiovascular risk across the histological spectrum and the clinical manifestations of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An update. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Athyros, V. G., Tziomalos K., Katsiki N., Doumas M., Karagiannis A., & Mikhailidis D. P. |
Journal | World J Gastroenterol |
Volume | 21 |
Issue | 22 |
Pagination | 6820-34 |
Date Published | 2015 Jun 14 |
ISSN | 2219-2840 |
Keywords | Biopsy, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cause of Death, Comorbidity, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Humans, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Life Style, Liver Cirrhosis, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Predictive Value of Tests, Prognosis, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Risk Reduction Behavior |
Abstract | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be an independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. However, simple steatosis has a benign clinical course without excess mortality. In contrast, the advanced form of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with liver fibrosis increases mortality by approximately 70%, due to an increase in CVD mortality by approximately 300%. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be caused by NAFLD/NASH and it substantially increases CVD risk, especially in the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, CKD may trigger NAFLD/NASH deterioration in a vicious cycle. NAFLD/NASH is also related to increased arterial stiffness (AS), an independent CVD risk factor that further raises CVD risk. Diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis (mainly by simple non-invasive tests), CKD, and increased AS should be made early in the course of NAFLD and treated appropriately. Lifestyle measures and statin treatment may help resolve NAFLD/NASH and beneficially affect the CVD risk factors mentioned above. |
DOI | 10.3748/wjg.v21.i22.6820 |
Alternate Journal | World J. Gastroenterol. |
PubMed ID | 26078558 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4462722 |