title: Magnetic Resonance Elastography for Liver Fibrosis in Methotrexate Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatic magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) allows for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of MRE in detecting and quantifying liver fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have received methotrexate (MTX).
  
  
  METHODS
  The association between mean liver stiffness value as determined by MRE and variables of interest was determined. The decision for a liver biopsy in participants with an abnormal liver stiffness was made based on clinical judgment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five RA patients were enrolled. Mean liver stiffness value by MRE was abnormal in 7 patients, suggestive of hepatic injury. As a result of findings from the MRE, biopsies were performed in 5 patients and all correlated with elevated liver stiffness values. Elevated mean liver stiffness values were associated with body mass index (BMI) (OR= 1.18 per 1 kg/m2; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.36; p=0.017). Neither the total MTX dose nor the duration of MTX treatment was associated with mean liver stiffness value (p=0.51 and P=0.20, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRE provides a reliable, non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with RA receiving MTX. Patients with RA receiving MTX who have an elevated BMI may be at increased risk for chronic hepatic injury, regardless of MTX cumulative dose or duration of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
authors.forename: Deana D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Hoganson
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ehman
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Jayant A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Talwalkar
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
authors.forename: Clement J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Michet
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Crowson
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester ; Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Matteson
keywords: Hepatic Magnetic Resonance Elastography; Methotrexate; liver fibrosis; rheumatoid arthritis