Galactose tolerance test and methotrexate-induced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with psoriasis

Abstract

A total of 151 galactose tolerance tests (GTT) and liver biopsies were performed in a consecutive study of 45 psoriatic patients with methotrexate-induced liver fibrosis; of these, 23 had cirrhosis. Most patients with an abnormal liver histology had a normal GTT. We conclude that an oral GTT is not sensitive enough to reveal methotrexate-induced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. The results indicate that the histological changes in methotrexate-induced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis may be of a rather non-aggressive nature.