Several case–control studies were able to show that inflammatory markers also reflecting inflammation in atherosclerosis patients, like CRP, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen were highest in NAFLD patients, intermediate in patients with simple steatosis and lowest in control subjects without steatosis.[23] These differences were independent of obesity and other potentially confounding factors. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.