Hidradenitis Suppurativa is Associated with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-sectional Study

• Main Authors: Iris González-Villanueva, Cristina DeGracia, Mariana Planells, Inés Poveda, Pedro Álvarez, Luca Schneller-Pavalescu, Isabel Betlloch, Gregor B.E. Jemec, Jose M. Ramos, Jose C. Pascual
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Society for Publication of Acta Dermato-Venereologica 2020-08-01
• Series: Acta Dermato-Venereologica
• Subjects: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; hidradenitis suppurativa; acne inversa; liver steatosis; hepatic ultrasound
• Online Access: https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/html/10.2340/00015555-3597
• ISSN: 0001-5555; 1651-2057

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common cause of end-stage liver disease. The aim of this controlled cross-sectional study was to assess the association between NAFLD and hidradenitis suppurativa. NAFLD was assessed using hepatic ultrasound. A total of 125 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa and 120 patients without hidradenitis suppurativa were recruited, matched for age, sex and body mass index (< 25 or > 25 kg/m2), a risk factor related to NAFLD. Both groups presented similar proportions of overweight or obesity (89.6% vs 90%). Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa presented significantly higher prevalence of NAFLD compared with those with non- hidradenitis suppurativa (57.6% vs 31.7%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed independent association between hidradenitis suppurativa and NAFLD (odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval 1.48–5.25; p = 0.001) besides age, body mass index, hypertension and hypertransaminasaemia. Hidradenitis suppurativa is significantly associated with the development of NALFD regardless of the presence of classic metabolic risk factors.