Patients With Psoriasis Are at Risk for Advanced Liver Fibrosis

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Medicine showed that patients with psoriasis have a high prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis and present the need for liver fibrosis screening.

Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine liver fibrosis prevalence and risk factors for developing liver fibrosis in patients with psoriasis. Searches were conducted using the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception until May 2022. Observational studies that described liver fibrosis prevalence and/or risk factors in patients with psoriasis were included in the review.

The pooled prevalence in patients with psoriasis at high risk for advanced liver fibrosis was 9.66% [95% CI: 6.92–12.75%, I2 = 76.34%] and at low risk, 77.79% (95% CI: 73.23–82.05%, I2 = 85.72%). The prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis in methotrexate-naïve patients was 4.44 (95% CI: 1.17–9.22%, I2 = 59.34%) compared with 12.25 (95% CI: 6.02–20.08%, I2 = 82.34%) for methotrexate-user patients. The pooled odds ratio for age >50 years was 2.20 (95% CI: 1.42–3.40, I2 = 0%); body mass index > 30, 3.67 (95% CI: 2.37–5.68, I2 = 48.8%); diabetes mellitus, 6.23 (95% CI: 4.39–8.84, I2 = 42.4%); hypertension, 2.82 (95% CI: 1.68–4.74, I2 = 0%); dyslipidemia, 3.08 (95% CI: 1.90–4.98, I2 = 0%); and metabolic syndrome, 5.98 (95% CI: 3.63–9.83, I2 = 17%).

“Approximately 10% of the population with psoriasis is at high risk for advanced liver fibrosis, while 78% are at low risk,” concluded the study authors. “Patients over the age of 50 with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of developing liver fibrosis, necessitating monitoring,” they added.

Reference
Yongpisarn T, Namasondhi A, Iamsumang W, Rattanakaemakorn P, Suchonwanit P. Liver fibrosis prevalence and risk factors in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). Published online December 15, 2022. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.1068157