Serum leptin levels in psoriatic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is higher in patients with psoriasis than in the normal population. Serum leptin levels are higher in patients with psoriasis and in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum levels of leptin in psoriatic patients with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Razi Dermatology Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2013. A total of 50 patients with psoriasis were enrolled in the study. Fatty liver grade was assessed via ultrasonography and serum leptin levels were measured using the ELISA method. Results: Ten patients had normal livers and 40 had fatty livers with different grades. The median serum leptin level was significantly higher in psoriatic patients with fatty liver (11.75 ng/mL) in comparison to those without fatty liver (2.80 ng/ml). Moreover, there was a direct correlation between the leptin level and the grade of fatty liver. Conclusion: serum leptin can be elevated in the course of psoriasis and may have a role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other metabolic co morbidities in psoriatic patients. © 2016 Iranian Society of Dermatology