Methotrexate and liver fibrosis in people with psoriasis: a systematic review of observational studies

Summary Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective treatment for psoriasis but concerns regarding the development of liver fibrosis prevent optimal use. The primary objective of this systematic review was to assess whether MTX use increases the risk of developing fibrosis in people with psoriasis. Searches were performed on Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Database and Clinical Trials Register from inception until September 2013 for studies including at least two liver biopsies in people with psoriasis. Double extraction using predefined data fields was performed. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were considered. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5. Quality of observational studies was assessed using a study quality bias checklist. Eight observational studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 429 patients). The pooled risk difference (RD) of developing significant liver fibrosis was 0·09 [95% confidence interval (CI) −0·03 to 0·20]. The RD for developing ‘any fibrosis’ was 0·22 (95% CI 0·04–0·41). The RD for cirrhosis was 0·04 (95% CI 0·02–0·07). There was no clear association between cumulative dose of MTX and fibrosis. Obesity, diabetes and alcohol use were under‐reported. The quality of the included studies was weak and the degree of selection bias means the results are not generalizable to all patients with psoriasis taking MTX. High‐quality, population‐based studies that consider potential confounders common in psoriasis population are justified for better prediction of the subset of patients at risk of liver fibrosis. In this highly selected review population, MTX use appears to contribute to the development of ‘any’ fibrosis without clear evidence of risk stratifiers. What's already known about this topic? Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used to treat psoriasis. The degree of risk attributable to MTX in the development of liver fibrosis for patients with psoriasis is unknown. What does this study add? In the studied population, MTX does increase the risk of developing liver fibrosis. The association between MTX and important confounders such as obesity and alcohol in the development of fibrosis is unclear. Clinicians should consider all patients taking MTX to be at potential risk of liver fibrosis pending further research.