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Fatty liver, carotid disease and gallstones: a study of age-related associations
Amedeo Lonardo1, Silvia Lombardini, Federica Scaglioni
1University of Modena and Reggio Emilia-Azienda USL, Department of Internal Medicine, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Geriatrics, Ospedale di Baggiovara, Via Giardini, 41100 Modena, Italy. a.lonardo@libero.it
Aim:
To evaluate carotid intima-media thickening (IMT) and plaques, gallstone disease (GD) and fatty liver (FL) as a function of age.
Methods:
In 449 subjects, FL and carotid disease were assessed ultrasonographically. In a subgroup of 65/449 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), carotid disease, GD and associated factors were determined.
Results:
FL of unspecified etiology was more common in younger and GD in older individuals. FL subjects had an increased prevalence of IMT and a decreased prevalence of plaques and manifested carotid disease earlier. Plaques were more common in subjects with GD. Age was an independent predictor of carotid disease outcome and FL was a protective factor for plaques. In NAFLD, there was an inverse correlation between body weight and age and the latter independently predicted carotid findings.
Conclusion:
Cardiovascular risk in patients with FL and NAFLD needs to be assessed as a function of age and body weight.
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