Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of incident hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Several studies reported an association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the risk of incident hypertension. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to obtain a precise and reliable estimate of the nature and magnitude of this association. We systematically searched Ovid-MEDLINE up to March 2021 for observational studies in which NAFLD was diagnosed in adults using blood-based panels, imaging techniques or liver biopsy and with a follow-up ≥1 year. Measures of association from individual studies were meta-analyzed using random-effects models. Of the 1108 titles initially scrutinized, we included 11 cohort studies with data on 390 348 participants (52% male) and a mean follow-up of 5.7 years. In the overall analysis, NAFLD was associated with a moderately increased risk of incident hypertension (hazard ratio 1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.38-2.01; test for overall effect z = 5.266; P < 0.001). There was significant heterogeneity among the studies (P < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses showed that estimates were not affected by geographical location, duration of follow-up and adjustment for baseline blood pressure values. On the other hand, the magnitude of the association was lower in studies that adjusted for baseline adiposity compared with those that did not, explaining part of the observed heterogeneity. No significant publication bias was detected by funnel plot analysis and Egger’s and Begg’s tests. This large meta-analysis indicates that NAFLD is associated with a ~1.6-fold increased risk of developing hypertension. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of NAFLD severity in terms of inflammation and fibrosis on incident hypertension.