Published online Apr 27, 2025. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i4.102978
Revised: March 8, 2025
Accepted: March 27, 2025
Published online: April 27, 2025
Processing time: 172 Days and 19 Hours
Psoriasis is a prevalent inflammatory disease that shares chronic inflammation pathways with the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS), type-2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. A high prevalence of steatosis and advanced liver fibrosis has been described in psoriasis. The influence of MetS and its compounds, patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 gene polymorphisms and the cumulative dose of methotrexate (MTX) in the progression of steatotic disease are still under debate. A suitable new classification for psoriasis-related liver disease, under the umbrella of steatotic liver disease (SLD), might be evaluated due to the potential impact of MTX on liver steatosis. Considering the interplay between the MetS, steatosis and MTX, a new definition for this complex disease might be discussed since it is not entirely addressed under the umbrella of SLD and metabolic-dysfunction associated SLD. Hence, shortly, a discussion could be raised on the feasible term “Met-Drug SLD”, metabolic and drug-induced SLD, which comprises both metabolic dysfunction and drug-related SLD. This review aims to report the best evidence to accurately classify liver disease in psoriasis, considering the new definition of SLD, allowing appropriate management once it is carefully defined.
Core Tip: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and steatosis is higher in patients with psoriasis; the concept of the hepato-dermal axis shows common inflammatory pathways between steatotic liver and psoriatic skin. The interplay between metabolic dysfunction and the use of methotrexate in patients with psoriasis might raise questions about whether a new subcategory under the umbrella of steatotic liver disease might be considered.