title: Relationship between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Psoriasis: A Novel Hepato-Dermal Axis?
abstract: Over the past 10 years, it has become increasingly evident that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease that affects multiple extra-hepatic organ systems and interacts with the regulation of several metabolic and immunological pathways. In this review we discuss the rapidly expanding body of clinical and epidemiological evidence supporting a strong association between NAFLD and chronic plaque psoriasis. We also briefly discuss the possible biological mechanisms underlying this association, and discuss treatment options for psoriasis that may influence NAFLD development and progression. Recent observational studies have shown that the prevalence of NAFLD (as diagnosed either by imaging or by histology) is remarkably higher in psoriatic patients (occurring in up to 50% of these patients) than in matched control subjects. Notably, psoriasis is associated with NAFLD even after adjusting for metabolic syndrome traits and other potential confounding factors. Some studies have also suggested that psoriatic patients are more likely to have the more advanced forms of NAFLD than non-psoriatic controls, and that psoriatic patients with NAFLD have more severe psoriasis than those without NAFLD. In conclusion, the published evidence argues for more careful evaluation and surveillance of NAFLD among patients with psoriasis.
authors: Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Piazzale Stefani, 1, Verona 37126, Italy. alessandro.mantovani24@gmail.com.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Mantovani
authors: Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Piazzale Stefani, 1, Verona 37126, Italy. paolo.gisondi@univr.it.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Gisondi
authors: Outpatient Liver Clinic and Division of Internal Medicine-Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, NOCSAE, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda USL Modena, Baggiovara, Modena 41126, Italy. a.lonardo@libero.it.
authors: Amedeo
authors: A
authors: Lonardo
authors: Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Piazzale Stefani, 1, Verona 37126, Italy. giovanni.targher@univr.it.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Targher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
keywords: NAFLD; management; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; psoriasis