Remnant cholesterol predicts NAFLD development

Serum levels of remnant cholesterol may be used to assess an individual’s susceptibility to developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), independent of traditional lipid profiles, suggests a recent study.

A team of investigators assessed a total of 9,184 adults who underwent physical examination annually in this study. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, they explored the relationship between serum remnant cholesterol and incident NAFLD. The relative risk of NAFLD was also analysed in the groups with discordant remnant cholesterol vs traditional lipid profiles using clinically relevant treatment targets.

Overall, 1,338 incident NAFLD cases developed during 31,662 person-years of follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that the fourth quartile of remnant cholesterol significantly correlated with NAFLD risks relative to the first quartile (hazard ratio [HR], 2.824, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 2.268‒3.517; p<0.001).

This association persisted among individuals with normal levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (HR, 1.929, 95 percent CI, 1.291‒2.882; p<0.001).

Additionally, the association between remnant cholesterol and incident NAFLD were consistent in individuals achieving the different treatment targets of LDL-C and non-HDL-C for risk stratification according to clinical guidelines.

“Serum levels of remnant cholesterol have been reported to predict the prognosis of cardiovascular disease, independent of traditional lipid profiles,” the investigators said.