Vibration-controlled transient elastography for non-invasive screening of liver fibrosis and steatosis in Turkish patients with psoriasis: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aim

The prevalence of fibrosis and steatosis in patients with psoriasis, as determined by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), has not been evaluated in Turkiye to date. The present cross-sectional study aims to present the first systematic screening results, focusing on two primary objectives: 1) establishing the prevalence of fibrosis and steatosis, and 2) identifying independent predictors for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values in this patient population.

Materials and Methods

Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had a confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis by a qualified dermatologist based on characteristic signs and symptoms and histopathological examination, and had undergone VCTE for LSM and CAP measurements.

Results

The diagnosis of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis - identified by LSM values of 10.0-13.9 and ≥14.0 kPa, respectively - was significantly prevalent (7.0% and 10.1%, respectively) among a sizeable cohort of relatively young Turkish patients with psoriasis (n=328; mean age: 49.5±12.7 years). Additionally, severe steatosis, as diagnosed by VCTE and characterized by a CAP value exceeding 290 dB/m, was identified in up to 43.3% of patients. Although body mass index (BMI) was the only variable found to be an independently associated with LSM, multivariable linear regression analysis failed to identify any statistically independent predictor of CAP values.

Conclusion

The prevalence of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in Turkish patients with psoriasis is far from negligible, with BMI identified as an independent risk factor for fibrosis.