The Association of the Steatosis Severity in Fatty Liver Disease with Coronary Plaque Pattern in General Population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is commonly observed in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, whether the steatosis severity of NAFLD is independently associated with coronary artery atherosclerosis is still controversial. METHODS Consecutive Taiwanese individuals (1502) who received coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and abdominal sonography as part of a general routine health evaluation were enrolled. The association between steatosis severity, coronary atherosclerosis involvement and various plaque patterns were analysed. RESULTS Compared with non-steatosis, NAFLD subjects had more cardiovascular risk factors that correlated with the severity of steatosis (P for the trend <.05). The presence of atherosclerotic plaques correlated with the severity of steatosis (none: 53%, mild: 64.1%, and moderate to severe: 66.9%; P for the trend <.001). Parameters of coronary atherosclerosis, including atheroma burden obstructive score (ABOS), segment involvement score (SIS) and segment stenosis score (SSS), were higher in the moderate to severe steatosis group. After adjusting for major confounding factors, the severity of steatosis still correlated with the mixed plaque pattern (P = .043). Subgroup analysis of the risk of the presence of overall coronary and mixed plaques showed a significant association with increasing severity of steatosis, especially among these who were <65 years old, male, without metabolic syndrome, and with lower low-density lipoprotein choleseterol values. CONCLUSION In this general population, steatosis severity of NAFLD is associated with coronary artery atherosclerosis burden. Furthermore, steatosis severity correlated with the risk of the presence of coronary plaques, especially high-risk plaques, and was independent of traditional risk factors.