Association between Atrial Fibrillation and Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

• Published in: Yonsei medical journal Vol. 61; no. 10; pp. 860 - 867
• Main Authors: Kang, Min Kyu, Park, Jung Gil, Kim, Min Cheol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Yonsei University College of Medicine 01.10.2020; 연세대학교의과대학
• Subjects: Original; 의학일반
• ISSN: 0513-5796; 1976-2437; 1976-2437
• DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2020.61.10.860

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association of AF with advanced liver fibrosis, which is related to all-cause, cardiovascular, and liver-related mortality, has not been established in NAFLD patients. We aimed to investigate the association between AF and advanced liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients.PURPOSENon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association of AF with advanced liver fibrosis, which is related to all-cause, cardiovascular, and liver-related mortality, has not been established in NAFLD patients. We aimed to investigate the association between AF and advanced liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients.Out of 53704 adults who participated in the health check-up program, 6293 subjects aged 35 years and older were diagnosed as NAFLD using ultrasound. The stage of liver fibrosis was assessed based on the newly adjusted NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and Fibrosis-4 (Fib-4) Index, which were used to determine the low and high cut-off values (COVs).MATERIALS AND METHODSOut of 53704 adults who participated in the health check-up program, 6293 subjects aged 35 years and older were diagnosed as NAFLD using ultrasound. The stage of liver fibrosis was assessed based on the newly adjusted NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and Fibrosis-4 (Fib-4) Index, which were used to determine the low and high cut-off values (COVs).Of 6293 patients with NAFLD, 59 (0.9%) were diagnosed with AF. Patients with AF were older (52.0 vs. 64.6 years, p<0.001), had higher body mass index (25.2 vs. 26.6 kg/m², p<0.001), and had bigger waist circumference (84.0 vs. 89.9 cm, p<0.001) than those without AF. In NAFLD patients, AF was independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis, assessed using both COVs of NFS [low-COV group: final adjusted odds ratios (aORs)=2.85, p=0.004; high-COV group: ORs=12.29, p<0.001). AF was independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis, assessed using both COVs of Fib-4 (low-COV group: aORs=2.49, p<0.001; high-COV group: aORs=3.84, p=0.016).RESULTSOf 6293 patients with NAFLD, 59 (0.9%) were diagnosed with AF. Patients with AF were older (52.0 vs. 64.6 years, p<0.001), had higher body mass index (25.2 vs. 26.6 kg/m², p<0.001), and had bigger waist circumference (84.0 vs. 89.9 cm, p<0.001) than those without AF. In NAFLD patients, AF was independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis, assessed using both COVs of NFS [low-COV group: final adjusted odds ratios (aORs)=2.85, p=0.004; high-COV group: ORs=12.29, p<0.001). AF was independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis, assessed using both COVs of Fib-4 (low-COV group: aORs=2.49, p<0.001; high-COV group: aORs=3.84, p=0.016).AF is independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.CONCLUSIONAF is independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.