The correlation between hepatic fat fraction on dual-energy CT and epicardial adipose tissue in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the correlation between hepatic fat fraction (HFF) assessed by using dual-energy computed tomography (CT) and the volume and density of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods From August 2019 to February 2021, 215 patients with NAFLD diagnosed by non-enhanced CT who underwent dual-energy coronary computed tomographic angiography were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the median EAT volume and density, respectively, and the differences between the two groups were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent correlation between the HFF and EAT. The patients were further cross-grouped according to median EAT volume and density, and the differences among the four subgroups were compared. The influence of HFF on EAT in each subgroup was explored using multivariate analysis. Results Higher EAT volume and density were associated with an increased HFF (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that HFF was an independent risk factor for EAT volume (odds ratio [OR] = 1.24, P < 0.001) and density (OR = 1.09, P = 0.015). In the subgroup analysis, the highest HFF was observed in the group with above-median EAT volume and density (P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, the results showed that the OR value of HFF was highest in the group with above-median EAT volume and density (OR = 1.43, P < 0.001), compared with the group with below-median EAT volume and density. Conclusions As a new imaging parameter for quantifying liver fat, HFF was independently correlated with both the volume and density of EAT.