Risk factors and characteristics associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with ischemic colitis

Abstract

Background: Ischemic colitis (IC) was investigated to be associated with dyslipidemia and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with ischemic diseases such as coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke. But there is a paucity of data regarding the association between NAFLD and IC. NAFLD may be associated with the treatment and prognosis of IC. We investigated risk factors and characteristics associated with NAFLD in patients with IC.

Methods: Patients with IC (NAFLD: 34 and controls: 81) from Zhongnan Hospital were investigated retrospectively from January 2012 to December 2018. Clinical data were compared by chi-square tests or independent samples T-tests. Binary logistic regressions and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed to evaluate risk factors and prognosis, respectively.

Results: NAFLD was diagnosed in 28.19% patients with IC. In the logistic regression analysis, hypertension [odds ratio (OR) 3.523; P = 0.019], elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR 6.278; P = 0.048), elevated triglyceride (OR 4.667; P = 0.003) and increased weight (OR 1.055; P = 0.039) were risk factors of NAFLD in patients with IC. Patients with NAFLD were more likely to require the vasodilators (P = 0.011) and get a relapse of IC (P = 0.011).

Conclusion: NAFLD was found in 28.19% of patients with IC. Hypertension, increased weight, elevated ALT and triglyceride are independent predictors of NAFLD in patients with IC. NAFLD in patients with IC is associated with a greater probability of requiring for the vasodilators. NAFLD in IC and period of bowel rest are risk factors for the recurrence of IC.