Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the study population according to nonalcoholic fatty liver severity, as assessed by ultrasound.
| normal (n = 835) | mild to moderate NAFLD(n = 835) | severe NAFLD(n = 305) | p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 53.2±9.0 | 54.1±9.4 | 53.0±8.8 | 0.145 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 22.9±2.6 | 25.0±2.4 | 26.2±2.9 | < 0.001 |
| AST (IU/L) | 21.9±7.6 | 24.2±9.3 | 28.2±12.1 | < 0.001 |
| ALT (IU/L) | 21.4±10.4 | 29.3±21.6 | 37.8±21.8 | < 0.001 |
| ɤGT (IU/L) | 35.6±57.1 | 47.9±67.4 | 48.8±37.1 | < 0.001 |
| Fasting glucose (mg/dL) | 95.4±20.5 | 101.4±18.4 | 105.2±24.8 | < 0.001 |
| Total-cholesterol (mg/dL) | 188.7±33.9 | 191.7±35.2 | 202.7±36.5 | < 0.001 |
| Triglyceride (mg/dL) | 105.1±56.9 | 140.5±74.4 | 180.6±109.5 | < 0.001 |
| HDL-C (mg/dL) | 52.8±13.6 | 45.5±10.3 | 43.3±8.7 | < 0.001 |
| LDL-C(mg/dL) | 117.8±30.5 | 121.5±32.0 | 130.1±34.0 | < 0.001 |
| Smoking status, n (%) | ||||
| Never | 343(41.1) | 136(26.5) | 80(26.2) | < 0.001 |
| Current | 212(25.4) | 160(31.3) | 92(30.2) | |
| Ex | 280(33.5) | 216(42.2) | 133(43.6) | |
| Systolic BP (mmHg) | 122.7±16.5 | 127.6±16.4 | 130.4±16.1 | < 0.001 |
| Diastolic BP (mmHg) | 76.3±9.5 | 80.0±9.9 | 81.5±8.8 | < 0.001 |
| Hypertension, n (%)a | 203(24.4) | 158(30.8) | 126(41.3) | < 0.001 |
| Diabetes, n (%)b | 65(7.8) | 73(14.2) | 56(18.4) | < 0.001 |
| Hepatic steatosis index c | 30.8±4.0 | 34.75±4.5 | 37.2±4.4 | < 0.001 |
| Subclinical CCVA, n (%) | 205(24.5) | 201(39.3) | 146(47.9) | < 0.001 |
All data are presented as mean ± SD, proportions, or medians (interquartile ranges) for skewed variables.
p value was calculated by one-way ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square test for categorical variables.
a Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, or previous use of antihypertensive medication.
b Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dL or use of hypoglycemic agent or insulin.
C Hepatic steatosis index was calculated as: 8 * ALT/AST + BMI(+2, if diabetes; +2, if female)
NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; BMI, body mass index; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; ɤGT, gamma glutamyl transferase; BP, blood pressure; CCVA, cerebro-cardiovascular atherosclerosis.