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Detection of significant liver fibrosis in Chinese psoriasis patients receiving methotrexate: a comparison between transient elastography and liver histology.
- Source :
-
Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi [Hong Kong Med J] 2024 Apr; Vol. 30 (2), pp. 110-119. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is effective for treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, but its potential hepatoxicity remains a concern. Liver biopsy, the gold standard for detecting MTX-induced liver injury, is invasive and carries considerable risk. Transient elastography (TE) offers a non-invasive alternative for detecting advanced liver fibrosis. This study investigated the performance of TE in detecting MTX-induced liver fibrosis among Chinese psoriasis patients, compared with liver biopsy.<br />Methods: This study included adult patients with clinical psoriasis. Liver stiffness measurement using TE was performed in patients receiving MTX. Exclusion criteria were known liver cirrhosis, positive viral hepatitis carrier status, or conditions influencing TE performance. Liver biopsy was performed when liver stiffness was ≥7.1 kilopascals (kPa) or when the total cumulative dose (TCD) of MTX was ≥3.5 g.<br />Results: A total of 228 patients were screened; among 34 patients who met the inclusion criteria, nine (26.5%) had significant liver fibrosis (Roenigk grade ≥3a). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval=0.59-0.93; P=0.021), indicating that TE had satisfactory performance in detecting liver fibrosis. A cut-off value of 7.1 kPa of liver stiffness yielded 100% sensitivity and 68% specificity. Liver fibrosis was not correlated with the TCD of MTX or the duration of MTX use; it was significantly correlated with obesity and diabetes status (body mass index ≥30 kg/m <superscript>2</superscript> , waist circumference ≥138 cm, and glycated haemoglobin level ≥7.8%).<br />Conclusion: Transient elastography is reliable and superior to the TCD for detecting liver fibrosis in Chinese psoriasis patients receiving MTX. Liver biopsy should be reserved for high-risk patients or patients with liver stiffness ≥11.7 kPa on TE.<br />Competing Interests: All authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Biopsy
Dermatologic Agents therapeutic use
Dermatologic Agents adverse effects
Dermatologic Agents administration & dosage
East Asian People
Liver pathology
Liver diagnostic imaging
ROC Curve
Elasticity Imaging Techniques methods
Liver Cirrhosis diagnostic imaging
Liver Cirrhosis pathology
Methotrexate adverse effects
Methotrexate therapeutic use
Methotrexate administration & dosage
Psoriasis drug therapy
Psoriasis complications
Psoriasis pathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1024-2708
- Volume :
- 30
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38651202
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.12809/hkmj2210364