Skin Manifestations Associated with Autoimmune Liver Diseases: A Systematic Review
October 2017
in “
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
”
TLDR Autoimmune liver diseases are likely linked to certain skin conditions like vitiligo and psoriasis.
The systematic review from 2017 investigated the relationship between skin diseases and autoimmune liver diseases, including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). It found a probable significant association between AIH and vitiligo, particularly type 2 AIH in children and adolescents, and suggested possible links with alopecia areata, psoriasis, and pyoderma gangrenosum. PBC was associated with vitiligo, psoriasis, and amicrobial pustulosis of the folds, but not significantly with lichen planus. PSC's association with skin diseases was unclear due to its strong link with inflammatory bowel disease, but one study indicated a possible association with psoriasis. Variant syndromes were also associated with vitiligo. The review highlighted the need for more research and better reporting of skin manifestations in patients with autoimmune liver diseases.