Can the ASCVD Risk Score Accurately Predict MACE Among Patients With NAFLD?

The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk score can accurately predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE) among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a new study.

The new study also uncovered risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and MACE among patients with NAFLD.

For their study, Kathleen Corey, MD, and colleagues examined data from patients who had steatosis at baseline in the PROMISE trial (n=959) as well as a biopsy-proven-NAFLD cohort from Massachusetts General Hospital.

Over time, 42 participants of the PROMISE trial had experienced MACE, which were defined as death, myocardial infarction, or unstable angina.

“We found, not surprisingly, that traditional risk factors such as age and gender, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking … are associated with baseline CAD,” Corey said. “Interestingly, the ASCD risk score, which has not previously been looked at in this population, was a significant predictor of CVD at baseline.”

In addition, low-density lipoprotein total cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B levels were statistically associated with baseline CVD. NT‑proBNP and high-sensitivity troponin were also associated with CVD at baseline.

Sedentary lifestyle and ASCVD risk score were significant risk factors for future MACE.

“What we found overall in this smaller study is that CVD severity and burden in NAFLD is associated with traditional risk factors,” Corey concluded. “We should be focusing on risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension to modify our patients’ risk of coronary artery disease.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Corey KE. CVD and NAFLD. Talk presented at: 21st Annual Harvard Nutrition and Obesity Symposium: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutics; June 30, 2020; Virtual. Accessed July 1, 2020.