Fibroscan detection of fatty liver and liver fibrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The prevalence of fatty liver was similar between SLE patients and controls, while liver fibrosis was increased in the female patient group as compared to controls. Furthermore, liver fibrosis was associated with age and low dose cumulative glucocorticoid use. Interestingly, fatty liver did not precede liver fibrosis in the majority of cases, contrary to what is observed in the general population. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings and determine whether immunosuppressive use has any impact on the development of liver fibrosis in SLE patients.