Ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter for hepatic steatosis quantification in psoriasis: a retrospective cohort...

Ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP), a validated hepatic steatosis quantification modality, demonstrates superior diagnostic accuracy in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and characteristics of hepatic steatosis in patients with psoriasis by UGAP. Psoriatic inpatients (March-October 2023) at Binzhou Medical University Hospital were enrolled, excluding those with secondary chronic liver disease etiologies. The control group, recruited from nonpsoriasis physical examiners, were matched for gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). The UGAP of all participants were measured. A total of 86 participants were included in this study, among whom 61 were patients with psoriasis and 25 were in the control group. The UGAP values of psoriasis patients were significantly higher than those of the nonpsoriasis group (0.65 vs 0.60, P = .01). Psoriasis severity index (PASI)-stratified analysis revealed severe psoriasis patients demonstrated prolonged disease duration and elevated UGAP versus mild-to-moderate counterparts (0.69 vs 0.63, P = .03). Spearman correlation analysis showed that in the psoriasis population, the correlation coefficient between the PASI scores and the UGAP values was 0.42 (P < .001). Age and UGAP values were significant predictors of a higher PASI score independent of gender, age at onset, duration of psoriasis and BMI. A bidirectional connection exists between hepatic steatosis and psoriasis progression. UGAP, as a promising quantitative assessment tool for hepatic steatosis, demonstrates significant correlations with psoriasis severity indices. This modality sensitively reflects the gradation of hepatic lipid deposition in psoriatic patients and exhibits predictive value for disease progression.