March 19, 2020Scientific ReportsOpen Access

The risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and a high hepatic fibrosis index

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Why the study?

Previous studies showed inconsistent findings on liver disease and AF, and whether the liver fibrosis index can predict AF risk was unknown.

Does a high hepatic fibrosis index predict the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Population

74,946 subjects with NAFLD undergoing routine health examinations

Comparison

Fibrosis 4 index levels

Design

Retrospective study

Authors

HPHyo Eun ParkHanseo University HLHeesun LeePreventive Cardiology SCSu‐Yeon ChoiCardiac Imaging

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Higher FIB-4 may flag elevated AF risk in NAFLD; leaves open whether it adds predictive value beyond known factors.

Structured PICO

Does a high hepatic fibrosis index predict the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Population

74,946 subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) undergoing routine health examinations, mean age 51 ± 11 years, 71.9% male, based in Korea. Key exclusions: history of liver disease (significant alcohol consumption, positive hepatitis B/C), known cardiovascular disease, or lacking ultrasonography/laboratory data.

Intervention

High hepatic fibrosis index (FIB-4 > 2.67 or APRI ≥ 1.5)

Comparator

Low hepatic fibrosis index (FIB-4 < 1.30 or APRI < 0.5)

Outcome

Presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) detected by standard 12-lead electrocardiogramhard clinical

In patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a higher hepatic fibrosis index (FIB-4) is independently associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.

Limitations

Retrospective observational study design cannot provide a causal relationship
Lack of histology to confirm NAFLD in asymptomatic subjects
Lack of echocardiography or computed tomography data for evaluation of diastolic dysfunction or coronary artery disease
Small number of subjects with AF (0.5%)
Missing data required for NAFLD fibrosis score calculation

Cite This Study

Park et al. (2020) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a722d956c240de38cdc5393 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61750-4

Topics

Atrial fibrillation Persistent AF management

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The risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and a high hepatic fibrosis index

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Topics

The risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and a high hepatic fibrosis index

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Topics

Also Consider