Liver disease in germline mutations of telomere-related genes: Prevalence, clinical, radiological, pathological features, outcome, and risk factors

International audienceBackground and aim: Germline mutations of telomere-related genes (TRG) induce multiorgan dysfunction, and liver-specific manifestations have not been clearly outlined. We aimed to describe TRG mutations-associated liver diseases. Approach and results: Retrospective multicentre analysis of liver disease (transaminases>30 IU/L and/or abnormal liver imaging) in patients with TRG mutations. Main measurements were characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors of liver disease in a TRG mutations cohort. The prevalence of liver disease was compared to a community-based control group (n=1190) stratified for age and matched 1:3 for known risk factors of liver disease. Among 132 patients with TRG mutations, 95 (72%) had liver disease, with associated lung, blood, skin, rheumatological and ophthalmological TRG diseases in 82%, 77%, 55%, 39%, and 30% of cases, respectively. Liver biopsy was performed in 52/95 patients, identifying porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) in 48%, and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis in 15%. After a follow-up of 21 months (12-54), ascites, hepato-pulmonary syndrome, variceal bleeding, and hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in 14%, 13%, 13%, and 2% of cases, respectively. Five-year liver transplantation-free survival was 69%. A FIB-4 score ≥3·25 and ≥1 risk factor for cirrhosis were associated with poor liver transplantation-free survival. Liver disease was more frequent in patients with TRG mutations than in the paired control group (80/396, (20%)), OR 12.9 (CI95% 7.8-21.3, p