Cardiovascular risks correlate with increasing levels of steatohepatitis, cirrhosis

VIENNA — Cardiovascular risks increased with rising severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, according to a study presented at the 2015 International Liver Congress.

 “We have shown a trend towards increasing mortality and increasing association of cardiovascular comorbidities as you move across the NAFLD spectrum,” Jake Mann, MD, of the University of Cambridge, said during a press conference.

In the study that used a database of more than 900,000 patients from 2000 to 2013, researchers used diagnosis codes to identify patients with NAFLD (n = 1,294), NASH (n = 122) and cirrhosis (n = 1,285) and determine if these stages of liver disease are associated with cardiovascular complications.

In looking at these correlations, Mann showed that all complications trended toward increased occurrence in cirrhosis vs. NAFLD. Specifically, 3.3% of NAFLD patients had congestive cardiac failure vs. 6.6% of patients with cirrhosis (P < .001). Atrial fibrillation occurred in 4.9% of patients with NAFLD and 8.3% of patients with cirrhosis; type 2 diabetes occurred in 20.9% and 31.2%, respectively, chronic kidney disease occurred in 3.1% and 6.9%, respectively, and mortality occurred in 14.5% vs. 53.1%, respectively (all P < .0001). 

“The cirrhosis group was older by about 8 years. That may well account for some of the difference. We might just be describing the natural history of these diseases,” Mann said.

Illustrating that was the increase in mortality, which Mann explained did not have a cause of death associated with the data. He reiterated that due to the data set, this study only draws associations and not causality. Still, he said, NASH vs. NAFLD adjusted mortality HR was 1.5 (95% CI, 0.9-2.6) while cirrhosis vs. NAFLD adjusted mortality HR was 5.1 (95% CI, 4.3-6). – by Katrina Altersitz

For More Information:

Mann J. Abstract G12. Presented at: International Liver Congress; April 22-26, 2015; Vienna.

Disclosure: Mann reports no relevant financial relationships.

Source: www.healio.com