Evaluation of liver fibrosis by transient elastography (Fibroscan®) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with methotrexate: a multicentric trial

Background. Methotrexate is an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, long-term treatments have been associated with the development of liver fibrosis. FibroScan (R) is a noninvasive, safe, and effective technique to evaluate liver fibrosis. Aim. To evaluate the presence of significant liver fibrosis by transient elastography (FibroScan (R)) in IBD patients treated with methotrexate. Methods. Cross-sectional study including IBD patients treated with methotrexate from different hospitals. Clinical and analytical data, duration of treatment, and cumulative dose of methotrexate were obtained. Liver stiffness was assessed by FibroScan (R). The cutoff value for significant liver fibrosis (according to METAVIR) was F >= 2: 7.1 kPa. Results. In the study, 46 patients were included, 30 women (65%), with a mean age of 43 +/- 10 years. 31 patients had Crohn's disease (67.4%), 13 ulcerative colitis (28.3%), and 2 indeterminate colitis (4.3%). The mean cumulative dose of methotrexate was 1242 +/- 1349 mg, with a mean treatment duration of 21 +/- 24 months. The mean value of liver stiffness was 4.7 +/- 6.9 kPa. There were 35 patients (76.1%) with F01, 8 patients (17.4%) with F = 2, and 3 patients with F 3 (6.5%). There were no differences in liver stiffness depending on sex, age, type of IBD, or cumulative dose of methotrexate. Conclusions. (1) Development of advanced liver fibrosis in IBD patients treated with methotrexate is exceptional. (2) There were no differences in liver stiffness depending on the type of IBD or the cumulative dose of methotrexate. (3) FibroScan (R) may be potentially useful for evaluation and follow-up of liver fibrosis in methotrexate-treated patients.