image: New results from a prospective, 12-month study indicate that the severity of psoriasis is associated with the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study findings were presented today at the 28th EADV Congress in Madrid, Spain. view more
Credit: EADV
(MADRID, 10 October, 2019) New results from a prospective, 12-month study indicate that the severity of psoriasis is associated with the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Patients with psoriasis and NAFLD had more severe hepatic damage, if they had a higher severity of psoriasis, based on ultrasound elastography measurements. The study findings were presented today at the 28th EADV Congress in Madrid, Spain.
Researchers from La Paz Hospital, in Madrid, investigated 64 male patients diagnosed with severe psoriasis and NAFLD, who had a mean age of 53.4 years. The severity of psoriasis was measured by using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) Score. Ultrasound elastography, which maps the elastic properties of soft tissue, was used to evaluate the stiffness of the liver and detect NAFLD. Stiffer liver tissue is usually indicative of NAFLD or liver fibrosis, which can cause cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease.
Results of the study showed that psoriatic patients with NAFLD had a more severe elatographic hepatic damage if they had a higher level of psoriasis severity.
Psoriasis is a chronic, non-communicable skin disease characterized by bright, silvery-white scales on reddened (inflamed) patches of skin, mainly on the arms and legs, the scalp, but also on many other areas of the body, including the genitals. NAFLD is the most common diffuse liver disease, with a worldwide prevalence of 20% to 46%.
Severity: A critical link
"Previous research has already established a link between psoriasis and NAFLD. This is one of the first studies to assess the relationship between the severity of psoriasis with the severity of NAFLD," noted Dr. Daniel Nieto, lead researcher of the study, who presented the results at the EADV conference.
"In this context, increasing awareness and the continued assessment of the severity of NAFLD in patients with psoriasis by primary care physicians, specialists, health policy makers and patients, should be prioritized to help manage both conditions."
Additional evidence
The relationship between the severity of psoriasis and NAFLD in psoriasis patients is also supported by newly released findings from a separate, descriptive study, which was conducted by researchers based in Iran, in 54 male psoriasis patients.
Analyses from the Iranian study showed that the prevalence of NAFLD was high in patients with psoriasis and the severity of the NAFLD increased in high-grade psoriasis cases. Also, the severity of the NAFLD had a positive correlation with the grade of psoriasis, which is due to pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipocytokine. Cytokines trigger psoriasis and increase the severity of the disease.
The severity of psoriasis in the Iranian study was also assessed by using PASI Score, and the different factors of NAFLD were measured. The data collected were analyzed by using SPSS16 statistical software and chi-square, in addition to Fisher exact test.
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Notes to Editors
A reference to the 28th EADV Congress must be included when communicating any information within this press release.
Contact:
For further information or to arrange an expert interview, please contact either:
Phoebe Deans - EADV Press Officer
phoebe@spinkhealth.com
+44 (0) 7732 499170
Jamie Wilkes - EADV Press Officer
jamie@spinkhealth.com
+44 (0) 7732 499170
About Dr Daniel Nieto:
Dr Daniel Nieto is a consultant from the Department of Dermatology at La Paz Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
About EADV:
Founded in 1987, EADV is a non-profit organisation whose vision is to be the premier European Dermato-Venereology Society, with the key aims of improving the quality of patient care, providing continuing medical education (CME) for all Dermato-Venereologists in Europe, and advocacy on behalf of the specialty and patients.
Find out more via the EADV website: https://www.eadv.org/
References:
1. Psoriasis severity is related to the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Nieto, D., et al). Presented at the 28th EADV Congress, Madrid, 9 October, 2019.
2. Qian Li, Manish Dhyani, Joseph R, et al. Current status of imaging in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Hepatol. 2018 Aug 27; 10(8): 530-542. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6120999/
3. World Health Organization. (?2016)?. Global report on psoriasis. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/iris/handle/10665/204417