Korean J Dermatol.  2020 Dec;58(10):650-655.

Prevalence and Clinical Features of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Psoriatic Patients with Abnormal Liver Function Tests

• Lee JI
• Suh HY
• Bae JY
• Jung HJ
• Ahn J
• Park MY
• Yoon YB
• Youn SH
• Youn JI

Abstract

Background
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent liver disease. Evidence supporting a strong relationship between psoriasis and NAFLD exists. NAFLD is significantly higher in psoriatic patients than in matched controls and psoriatic patients with NAFLD have more severe forms of psoriasis than those without NAFLD.
Objective
To evaluate the prevalence and clinical features of NAFLD among Korean psoriatic patients with abnormal liver function tests.
Methods
We evaluated the laboratory results of psoriatic patients who visited the Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, between September 2012 and June 2017. Those who had abnormal liver function tests were consulted by a hepatologist to confirm the diagnosis of NAFLD using ultrasonography.
Results
A total of 307 psoriatic patients underwent liver function tests (LFTs), and 46 patients (15.0%) had abnormal LFT values. A hepatologist consulted psoriatic patients with abnormal LFTs, and hepatic ultrasonography was performed; 34 patients (73.9%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. Among psoriatic patients with abnormal LFTs, those with a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥10 had a significantly higher rate of NAFLD than psoriatic patients with PASI ＜10 (87.5% vs 59.1%).
Conclusion
Among psoriatic patients with abnormal LFTs, 34 patients (73.9%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. Psoriatic patients with PASI ≥10 had a significantly higher rate of NAFLD than those with PASI ＜10.

Keyword

Psoriasis; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease