Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Type 2 diabetes is often associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients with NAFLD may be at greater risk for CVD than those without. The relationship between NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MS) is very well recognized. The aim is to determine the association of NAFLD and the CVD between type 2 diabetic patients with and without MS.

Materials and methods: One hundred and thirty type 2 diabetic patients (M: 71, F: 59, mean age 59, 32+11, 94), were studied. All subjects were assessed for diabetes duration, the degree of obesity, CV risk factors, HbA1c, C reactive protein and lipid profile. NAFLD was assessed by patient history and ultrasound. MS was defined based on NCEP-ATP 3 criteria. The previous and current CVD (myocardial infarction, angina or revascularization) was assessed. The patients were categorized as four groups: MS (−) and NAFLD (+), MS (−) and NAFLD (−), MS (+) and NAFLD (+), MS (+) and NAFLD (−).

Results: The prevalence of CVD in type 2 diabetic patients with NAFLD was higher than in those without NAFLD (44.2 vs 38.1%). The prevalence of CVD in type 2 diabetic patients with MS was higher than in those without (40.1 vs 35.8%). The risk of CVD in patients with MS was significantly increased by the presence of NAFLD (53.4 vs 32.3%). In type 2 diabetic patients with MS (+) and NAFLD (+) the number of components of MS, BMI, and systolic BP were positively associated with CVD.

Conclusions: What this study suggests to us is that the presence of NAFLD increases the risk of CVD in type 2 diabetic patients with MS.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.