The ROC analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance for AIP (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.917) and combined AIP+CIMT (AUC = 0.951), indicating high discriminatory accuracy for identifying NAFLD.<h4>Conclusions</h4>NAFLD is strongly associated with increased atherogenic burden and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is AIP; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.