Correlation Between Psoriasis Severity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Degree Measured Using Controlled Attenuation Parameter

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence links psoriasis to several metabolic disorders, but the causal relationship between psoriasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains understudied. PURPOSE: To measure the correlation between the severity of psoriasis and the degree of NAFLD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult patients with psoriasis in the Dermatovenereology Outpatient Clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital from December 2017 through February 2018. Psoriasis severity (psoriasis area and severity index [PASI] and body surface area [BSA]) was recorded and compared with NAFLD degree measured by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). RESULTS: A total of 36 subjects were enrolled with an average age of 49.08 years (±15.52 years). The proportions of mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis were 50%, 27.8%, and 22.2%, respectively. Median of PASI was 6.1 (2-38.4) and BSA was 7.5 (2-93). The proportion of NAFLD was 77.8%. The mean of the CAP score was 250.03±45.64. There was no statistically significant correlation between psoriasis severity based on PASI and CAP score (r = 0.258; p = 0.128). However, if the degree of psoriasis was based on BSA, a significant correlation was found (r = 0.382; p = 0.021). The body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference were significantly correlated with CAP score (r = 0.448, p = 0.006 and r = 0.485, p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Psoriasis extension correlates with NAFLD severity; further studies should assess in detail the effect of therapies on this pathophysiological link.