Several recent studies have found an increased prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease within psoriasis patients. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms behind these observations are unclear, but are likely related to the high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome within this patient population. Chronic inflammation, mediated by either proinflammatory adipokines or skin-derived cytokines, may contribute to fatty liver disease development by increasing insulin resistance which in turn promotes hepatic lipid accumulation. These same adipokines in addition to hepatic cytokines may act on the skin to influence psoriasis disease severity.
© 2010 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2010 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.