Disparities in the Prevalence of Hospitalizations and In-Hospital Mortality Due to Acute Myocardial Infarction Among Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Nationwide Retrospective Study

<b><i>Background</i>:</b> Non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) may be associated with cardiovascular diseases; however, only a few studies have analyzed this relationship. We aimed to assess the epidemiologic data and the association between NAFLD and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the United States. <b><i>Methods</i>:</b> The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2016-2019 was queried using ICD10-CM diagnostic codes to identify hospitalizations of AMI + NAFLD. Essential demographic variables were analyzed to determine the disparities in the prevalence of AMI hospitalizations and deaths among NAFLD patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models determined the association between NAFLD and AMI hospitalizations and death. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among the total 5450 NAFLD patients hospitalized with AMI, 5.11% (279) died. Females were less likely to be admitted and die due to AMI than males. Younger patients (<50) were less likely to be hospitalized and die than those ≥50. Compared to the white population, black patients were less likely; however, Hispanics, Asians, and Pacific Islanders were more likely to be hospitalized. Race was not found to affect hospital mortality. On multivariate analysis, NAFLD was associated with higher odds of AMI hospitalization [OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.51-1.60, <i>p</i> < 0.01] and death [OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.74-2.21, <i>p</i> < 0.01]. <b><i>Conclusions</i>:</b> Older white males with NAFLD had a higher prevalence of AMI hospitalizations and mortality.