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Background: As Methotrexate (MTX) may induce liver side effects or damage, evaluating the liver of the consumers of this drug by a noninvasive method, such as FibroScan, may be effective. Objectives: The present study aimed at evaluating the progression of liver fibrosis and steatosis using the transient elastography (FibroScan) technique in patients, who are treated with MTX. Methods: Onehundredandone patients,whowere treated withMTXbecause of different rheumatologic diagnosis and/or dermatologic disease, were included in the study. Liver stiffness was measured using FibroScan. Hepatic fibrosis was identified by converting the FibroScan results measured in kPa to the Metavir scale. Also, F0-F4 and steatosis were graded. Results: The assessment of steatosis using FibroScan showed mild, moderate, and severe stenosis in 15.8%, 13.9%, and 26.7%, respectively. With regards to grading of hepatic fibrosis, 67.0% were graded as F0 to F1, 7.0% as F2, 7.0% as F2 to F3, 2.0% as F3, 11.0% as F3 to F4, and 6.0% as F4. A significant association was found between body mass index, waist circumferences, and fibrosis. The association between the severity of hepatic fibrosis and indices of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and serum albumin was significant. No relationship was revealed between the severity of hepatic fibrosis and MTX dosage as well as duration of MTX use. Conclusions: The authors found significant associations between hepatic steatosis and anthropometric parameters, level of albumin, drug dosage higher than 10 mg, and cumulative dosage of MTX. The severity of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis induced by MTX was mainly affected by the patients' obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is progressing considerably worldwide. Identifying the risk factors of NAFLD is a critical step in preventing its progression. Methods: In November 2022, two independent researchers studied seven databases, including PubMed, ISI/WoS, ProQuest, Scopus, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar, and reference list of relevant articles, searching studies that assessed NAFLD risk factors in the Iranian adult population. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by Cochran's test and its composition using I² statistics. A random-effects model was used when heterogeneity was observed; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was applied. Egger's regression test and Trim-and-Fill analysis were used to assess publication bias. Comprehensive Meta-analysis software (version 3) was used for the analyses of the present study. Results: The results of this study showed significant associations between NAFLD with age (n = 15, odds ratio (OR) = 2.12,95% CI: 1.79 - 2.51), body mass index (n = 46, OR= 5.00,95% CI: 3.34 - 7.49), waist circumference (n = 20, OR = 6.37,95% CI: 3.25 -12.48), waist-to-hip ratio (n = 17, OR = 4.72, 95% CI: 3.93 - 5.66), total cholesterol (n = 39, OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.52 - 2.13), high-density lipoprotein (n = 37, OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.44-0.65), low-density lipoprotein (n = 31, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.38 - 2.05), triglyceride (n = 31, OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 2.67-3.87), alanine aminotransferase (n = 26, OR = 4.06,95% CI: 2.94 - 5.62), aspartate aminotransferase (n = 27, OR = 2.16,95% CI: 1.50-3.12), hypertension (n =13, OR = 2.53,95% CI: 2.32 - 2.77), systolic blood pressure (n = 13, OR = 1.83,95% CI: 1.53 - 2.18), diastolic blood pressure (n = 14, OR=1.80,95% CI: 1.48-2.20), fasting blood sugar (n = 31, OR=2.91,95% CI: 2.11-4.01), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (n = 5, OR = 1.92,95% CI: 1.48 - 2.59), diabetes mellitus (n =15, OR = 3.04,95% CI: 2.46-3.75), metabolic syndrome (n = 10, OR = 3.56,95% CI: 2.79 - 4.55), and physical activity (n = 11, OR= 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24-0.43) (P< 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, several factors are significantly associated with NAFLD. However, anthropometric indices had the strongest relationship with NAFLD in the Iranian adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]