Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Isn't a Risk Factor for Myocardial Infarction or Stroke

Are nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated independently with cardiovascular disease? In this matched cohort study, researchers used population-based databases from four European countries to determine risk for myocardial infarction and stroke among 86,000 patients (mean age range, 53–56) with NAFLD or NASH and no other liver diseases.

NAFLD and NASH patients were matched by age, sex, and other factors with 4.7 million adults without NAFLD or NASH. Median follow-up range was 2.1 to 5.5 years. Adjusted for age, smoking, systolic blood pressure, presence of type 2 diabetes, cholesterol levels, and statin use, risks for myocardial infarction and stroke were not elevated in patients with NAFLD…