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©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Hepatol. May 27, 2013; 5(5): 275-280
Published online May 27, 2013. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i5.275
Published online May 27, 2013. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i5.275
Prevalence and risk factors of methotrexate hepatoxicity in Asian patients with psoriasis
Chong Meng Yeo, Wei Lyn Yang, Department of Gastroenterology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
Vui Heng Chong, Department of Medicine, RIPAS Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan BA 1710, Brunei Darussalam
Arul Earnest, Clinical Research Unit, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
Author contributions: Yeo CM and Yang WL conceived the idea of the study; Yeo CM collected that data; Chong VH and Earnest A analysed the data; Yeo CM and Chong VH wrote the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript; Yeo CM was the guarantor.
Correspondence to: Dr. Chong Meng Yeo, Department of Gastroenterology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Singapore. chong_meng_yeo@ttsh.com.sg
Telephone: +65-693577897 Fax: +65-63573087
Received: February 6, 2013
Revised: April 1, 2013
Accepted: May 7, 2013
Published online: May 27, 2013
Revised: April 1, 2013
Accepted: May 7, 2013
Published online: May 27, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Old studies have shown that the prevalence of methotrexate (MTX) associated liver fibrosis and cirrhosis to be as high as 50% and 26% respectively. Later studies have shown that the risk is much lower than previously reported. These studies have been based on western patients. To date, there is no study that had assessed MTX hepatotoxicity in Asian patient based on liver histology. This study showed that the risk of methotrexate hepatoxicity in Asian patients with psoriasis is also low and progression is minimal. We showed that ethnicity and presence of diabetes and hyperlipidemia, part of the metabolic syndrome may be important factors.