Evaluation of liver injury in multiple sclerosis patients receiving pulsed steroid therapy

Objectives: There is a paucity of literature about the methylprednisolone induced liver injury in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In this study, we intended to investigate the incidence, severity, and risk factors for liver injury in MS patients treated with pulsed methylprednisolone therapy.Methods: This is a prospective observational study on MS patients treated with methylprednisolone pulses. All MS subjects with relapses who were referred to Sina Hospital between May 2020 to May 2021 were included in the study. They were evaluated for the demographic, clinical characteristics, and liver function tests. Liver injury was diagnosed if there was an elevation of serum aminotransferase levels above the upper normal limit (45 IU/L). Results: A total of 314 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of liver injury after treatment with pulsed methylprednisolone therapy was 2.86%. None of the cases with liver injury were severe. Univariate regression analysis demonstrated that the patients with liver injury had a significantly higher frequency of hyperlipidemia (p: 0.002), alcohol abuse (p: 0.021), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (p: 0.005) compared to those without liver injury. Multivariate regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia (p: 0.04, odds ratio (OR): 6.31), and history of alcohol abuse (p: 0.007, OR: 36.71) were significantly associated with liver injury.Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of a close follow-up of the liver function tests in MS patients following pulsed methylprednisolone therapy, particularly in patients with NAFLD, hyperlipidemia, and history of alcohol-abusing.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the incidence, severity, and risk factors for liver injury in MS patients treated with pulsed methylprednisolone therapy. The study found a prevalence of liver injury of 2.86%, but all cases were not severe. Hyperlipidemia and history of alcohol abuse were significantly associated with liver injury.