Liver fibrosis 4 score: Use in the evaluation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the association between FIB4 and ultrasound findings, and the clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis patients.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We carried out an observational cross-sectional study of patients seen in the outpatient clinic from January 1st, 2020, to November 30th, 2020, with psoriatic arthritis.

RESULTS

Of the 90 patients studied, the prevalence of NAFLD was 56.67%. FIB4 presents an association with ultrasound findings (p = .030), the absence of enthesitis (p = .036), and longer duration of disease (Rho .213 p = .042). It also presents an association with hypertension (p = .027) and alcohol consumption (p = .021). However, biological treatment can be considered as a protective factor (p = .005). FIB4 acts as a NAFLD predictor with 69.2% sensitivity and 70.4% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of NAFLD was higher in our sample than in the standard population. FIB4 index may be useful in screening for silent liver damage in psoriatic arthritis in clinical practice.