Association between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in Patients with Angina Pectoris

Background: Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in Iranian population. The aim of this study was the investigation of association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with angina pectoris. Methods: 82 patients with confirmed CAD by coronary angiography and 82 individuals with normal coronary angiography, as the control group, were selected. Hepatic ultrasound scanning was performed in all the subjects to determinate the NAFLD. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and independent T-test and Chi-square tests. Results: Findings gathered from the patients with angina pectoris showed that the prevalence of NAFLD in CAD patients was higher than the control group. Grade of fatty liver and the portal vein size in CAD patients were significantly more than the control group. Conclusion: NAFLD is a risk factor of CAD in the angina pectoris patients. Increase in the prevalence of NAFLD can lead to the increase in cardiovascular diseases.