| Title: | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is not associated with the elevated risk of atrial fibrillation: Evidence from the UK biobank cohort study. |
| Journal: | Kardiologia Polska |
| Published: | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41879652/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.33963/v.phj.111839 |
| URL: | https://journals.viamedica.pl/polish_heart_journal/article/download/111839/88585 |
Publication 18209
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial.</p>
AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between NAFLD and AF risk utilizing data from the UK Biobank.</p>
METHODS: In this large-scale population-based cohort study, participants without a history of AF were captured from the UK Biobank from 2006 to 2010. NAFLD was identified using a fatty liver index threshold of ≥60. Cox regression models with progressive covariate adjustment were employed. Propensity score matching and competing risk models were utilized in sensitivity analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential heterogeneity in the association.</p>
RESULTS: Overall, 92 581 participants (47.6% male, median [interquartile range] age, 53.00 [47.00-58.00] years, 30972 [33.5%] NAFLD, 61609 [65.5%] non-NAFLD) were included at baseline. During a median follow-up of 12.88 years, 1633 new-onset AF were diagnosed in NAFLD (5.27%), while 1583 new-onset AF were diagnosed in non-NAFLD (2.57%). Incidence curves showed that the incidence of new-onset AF was consistently higher in NAFLD participants throughout the observation period. However, in the fully-adjusted multivariable cox regression model, this association was markedly attenuated and no longer significant (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.02; P = 0.12). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses yielded results largely consistent with the primary findings.</p>
CONCLUSION: S: : In this large cohort study from the UK Biobank, NAFLD was not an independent risk factor for AF. This implies that the increased incidence of AF observed in participants with NAFLD may be more closely related to cardiometabolic risk factors contributing to the development of NAFLD rather than the condition itself.</p>
7 Authors
- Yinghong Zhai
- Fangyuan Hu
- Xiaofei Ye
- Yang Cao
- Feng Xu
- Run Du
- Chao Xue
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 99709 | Risk factor and causal association detection in common diseases |
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