Liver-side of inflammatory bowel diseases: Hepatobiliary and drug-induced disorders

Abstract

Hepatobiliary disorders are among the most common extraintestinal manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), both in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), and therefore represent a diagnostic challenge. Immune-mediated conditions include primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) as the main form, variant forms of PSC (namely small-duct PSC, PSC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis) and granulomatous hepatitis. PSC is by far the most common, presenting in up to 8% of IBD patients, more frequently in UC. Several genetic foci have been identified, but environmental factors are preponderant on disease pathogenesis. The course of the two diseases is typically independent. PSC diagnosis is based mostly on typical radiological findings and exclusion of secondary cholangiopathies. Risk of cholangiocarcinoma is significantly increased in PSC, as well as the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with PSC and IBD-related colitis. No disease-modifying drugs are approved to date. Thus, PSC management is directed against symptoms and complications and includes medical therapies for pruritus, endoscopic treatment of biliary stenosis and liver transplant for end-stage liver disease. Other non-immune-mediated hepatobiliary disorders are gallstone disease, whose incidence is higher in IBD and reported in up to one third of IBD patients, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, pyogenic liver abscess and portal vein thrombosis. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an important issue in IBD, since most IBD therapies may cause liver toxicity; however, the incidence of serious adverse events is low. Thiopurines and methotrexate are the most associated with DILI, while the risk related to anti-tumor necrosis factor-α and anti-integrins is low. Data on hepatotoxicity of newer drugs approved for IBD, like anti-interleukin 12/23 and tofacitinib, are still scarce, but the evidence from other rheumatic diseases is reassuring. Hepatitis B reactivation during immunosuppressive therapy is a major concern in IBD, and adequate screening and vaccination is warranted. On the other hand, hepatitis C reactivation does not seem to be a real risk, and hepatitis C antiviral treatment does not influence IBD natural history. The approach to an IBD patient with abnormal liver function tests is complex due to the wide range of differential diagnosis, but it is of paramount importance to make a quick and accurate diagnosis, as it may influence the therapeutic management.

Key Words: Inflammatory bowel diseases, Hepatobiliary disorders, Primary sclerosing cholangitis, Drug-induced liver injury, Biological drugs, Viral hepatitis

Core Tip: Hepatobiliary disorders are commonly associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and represent a management challenge. They include (1) Immune-mediated diseases that can coexist with IBD, mainly primary sclerosing cholangitis; (2) Other non-immune-mediated disorders like gallstone disease; (3) Liver injury induced by drugs used in IBD; and (4) Risks related to concomitant viral hepatitis B and C. All these conditions are summarized in this review, according to the latest literature evidence and the current clinical practice guidelines.

INTRODUCTION

Hepatobiliary disorders are common extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and may occur in both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The range of IBD-associated hepatobiliary disorders is wide and can underlie different pathogenetic mechanisms. They include diseases with immune-mediated pathogenesis, which typically have a course independent of intestinal activity, the most common being primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC); variant form of PSC, like small-duct PSC, must also be considered. Other non-immune-mediated conditions include gallstone disease, whose incidence is increased in IBD patients, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), pyogenic liver abscess and portal vein thrombosis. Drug-induced liver diseases is another important chapter, since several drugs used in IBD, mainly thiopurines, methotrexate and anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF) may induce liver toxicity. Concomitant viral hepatitis B and C in IBD is also a relevant issue, particularly hepatitis B reactivation under immunosuppressive therapy; however, the recent introduction of potent antiviral drugs for both the infections and the spread of the anti-hepatitis B virus vaccine (HBV) contributed to significantly lower the risk. The diagnosis of such hepatobiliary conditions is of great importance, since they may influence the management and therapeutic approach to IBD, contraindicate the use of some therapies, or prevent the evolution towards the end stage of liver disease. The main hepatobiliary disorders, which are discussed in this review, are summarized in Table 1. A proposed practical approach to abnormal liver function tests (LFT) in a patient with IBD is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Mind map describing a practical approach to the inflammatory bowel disease patient with abnormal liver function tests. ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; CE-CT: Contrast-enhancement computed tomography; CMV: Cytomegalovirus; DILI: Drug-induced liver injury; EBV: Epstein-Barr virus; GGT: Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; HAV: Hepatitis A virus; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; HDS: Herbal and dietary supplements; HEV: Hepatitis E virus; HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus; HSV: Herpes simplex virus; MRCP: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; OTC: Over-the-counter drugs.

Table 1 Main features of hepatobiliary manifestations associated with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Hepatobiliary manifestation	Main features
Immune-mediated
PSC	The most frequent (50%-80% of PSC patients have IBD, and 2%-8% of IBD patients have PSC)
	No medical treatment approved. Therapies directed towards PSC complications
	Increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer (surveillance needed)
Small duct PSC	Histological evidence of PSC, but normal cholangiogram
	More benign disease course than classic PSC (cholangiocarcinoma risk not increased)
PSC-AIH overlap syndrome	Coexistence of biochemical and histological features of AIH and PSC-associated biliary tract alterations
	Better response to steroids and immunosuppressants than PSC
IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis	Part of the IgG4-related systemic disease
	Characterized by histological evidence of IgG4+ plasma cells infiltrate
	Good response to steroids
Granulomatous hepatitis	Rare, generally in Crohn’s disease
	Autoimmune or drug-induced pathogenesis
	Good response to steroids
Non-immune-mediated
Gallstone disease	Incidence increased in IBD, more in Crohn’s disease
	Bile salts malabsorption underlying the pathogenesis
NAFLD	Not strictly associated with IBD; similar risk factors in the general population
	Higher NAFLD prevalence in patients with severe IBD activity
Pyogenic liver abscess	Rare, mainly in Crohn’s disease
	Penetrating disease, steroid treatment and malnutrition are risk factors
Portal vein thrombosis	Increased risk in IBD, especially during severe disease flare and after surgery. Prophylactic treatment indicated in these settings
DILI
Aminosalicylates	Low risk of DILI
	LFT monitoring not necessary
Thiopurines	DILI quite frequent (prevalence of about 3%); both dose-independent and dose-dependent toxicities are possible
	Regular LFT monitoring indicated
Methotrexate	DILI quite frequent, with a prevalent dose-dependent mechanism
	Regular LFT monitoring indicated
	Folic acid supplementation indicated during treatment
Anti-tumour necrosis factor-α	Low risk of DILI, mainly with infliximab
	LFT monitoring not necessary
Anti-integrins	Low risk of DILI
	LFT monitoring not necessary
Anti-interleukin 12/23	Low risk of DILI
	LFT monitoring not necessary
Tofacitinib	Data in IBD still scarce
	Alanine aminotransferase elevation quite frequent in rheumatoid arthritis, but generally mild
Hepatitis B reactivation	A relevant concern
	Antiviral therapy indicated in HBsAg positive patients
	LFT monitoring indicated in HBsAg negative/anti-HBc positive patients
	Vaccination indicated in naïve patients
Hepatitis C reactivation	Not a relevant concern

IBD: Inflammatory bowel diseases; PSC: Primary sclerosing cholangitis; LFT: Liver function tests; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; DILI: Drug-induced liver injury; NAFLD: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; AIH: Autoimmune hepatitis.

IMMUNE-MEDIATED CONDITIONS

PSC

PSC is the most common hepatobiliary manifestation associated with IBD. It is a rare, idiopathic, chronic cholestatic syndrome characterized by chronic inflammation, fibrosis and finally destruction of intra- and/or extra-hepatic bile ducts. PSC is a progressive disease, leading to liver biliary cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Epidemiology: According to a recent systematic review, the incidence and prevalence rates of PSC range from 0 to 1.3 per 100.000 inhabitants/year and from 0 to 16.2 per 100.000 inhabitants, respectively. There is a 2:1 male predominance and a peak of incidence between 30 to 40 years old[1]. PSC is commonly associated with IBD, with about 50%-80% of patients with PSC having concomitant IBD, more frequently UC[2], and about 2%-8% of patients with IBD having PSC[3]. PSC diagnosis usually precedes that of IBD, although PSC may be diagnosed many years after proctocolectomy for colitis[4].

Etiology: The exact etiology of PSC is unknown. A multifactorial pathogenesis has been proposed, in which genetic, immunological, and environmental factors contribute to the development of the disease. The increased risk of PSC in first-degree relatives suggests a genetic predisposition. Multiple human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes related to PSC susceptibility have been reported: HLA-B8, HLA-DRB1*0301 (DR3), HLA-DRB3*0101 (DRw52a) and HLA-DRB1*0401 (DR4)[5]. Interestingly, three UC susceptibility loci, harboring the genes REL, IL2, and CARD9, have been linked to PSC, supporting the association UC-PSC as a separate disease entity. However, genetic factors are implicated in a minority of PSC cases, clearly emphasizing the predominant role of environmental risk factors in the overall disease liability[6,7]; colonic toxins, gut microbiota, portal bacteria and viral infections[6], are some of the main environmental determinants, which are discussed below. Based on the association between certain HLA haplotypes, the acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrate at histology, and given the association with several other autoimmune conditions, PSC has been classically considered an autoimmune disease[8]. Several autoantibodies may be present, including antinuclear antibodies in 24%-53%, smooth muscle antibodies in 13%-20%, and anti-perinuclear cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) in 65%-88% of patients[9]. However, none of these autoantibodies are reliable for diagnosis and there is no significant response of the disease to immunosuppressants. Chronic portal bacteremia is another important mechanism postulated: the bacterial translocation from the gut into the portal system can lead to biliary inflammation and recurrent cholangitis, probably through activation of the innate immune response in susceptible individuals[10]. Growing evidence suggests a relevant role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of PSC, independently of IBD. Patients with PSC are characterized by a fecal overrepresentation of Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Fusobacterium, Enterococcus and Ruminococcus, and decreased populations of Clostridium cluster II, Prevotella and Bacteroides, compared to healthy individuals and patients with IBD alone[11-13]. Gut dysbiosis has been linked to an increase Gut dysbiosis has been linked to an increase in gut permeability and bacterial translocation that enter the enterohepatic circulation[14]. Other etiologic mechanisms such as ischemia and chronic viral infections have been postulated, but more evidence is needed.

Clinical presentation and diagnosis: Since most patients with PSC are asymptomatic at diagnosis, the disease is frequently suspected after routine liver biochemical tests. When the disease is symptomatic, the most common symptoms are pruritus, fatigue, right upper abdominal pain, and weight loss. Acute cholangitis is the first clinical manifestation of PSC in about 15% of cases[15]. Biochemical tests typically show a cholestatic pattern: An increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is the most frequent alteration, usually together with a raise of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Notably, although an elevated ALP is a sensitive diagnostic marker, a normal level does not exclude PSC[6]. A high level of serum bilirubin is observed in an advanced stage of disease and is a marker of poor prognosis. Aminotransferases are often normal or mildly raised. As mentioned above, multiple autoantibodies, most frequently pANCA, have been associated with PSC, but they are not specific nor related to disease activity and prognosis[16]. Diagnosis is confirmed if the typical morphological alterations of biliary ducts are identified and causes of secondary sclerosing cholangitis are excluded. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) should be the technique of choice for the investigation of suspected PSC, with a sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of 0.86 and 0.94, respectively[17]. MRCP demonstrates diffuse, multifocal strictures and dilations of the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts. In about 40% of cases, the gallbladder and cystic duct are also involved[18]. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be reserved for patients with biliary strictures requiring tissue acquisition (e.g. cytological brushing) or when therapeutic intervention is indicated (e.g. jaundice or acute cholangitis)[6]. In recent years, peroral cholangioscopy has emerged as a useful endoscopic tool in PSC management. It can provide a direct intraductal visualization, which allows guided biliary biopsies and can be helpful in distinguishing between benign and malignant strictures. A recent meta-analysis found a sensitivity and specificity of cholangioscopy-directed biopsies for all indications (i.e., not limited to PSC) of 71.9% and 99.1%, respectively[19,20]; however, data on patients with PSC are still limited. Moreover, cholangioscopy has been recently used in the treatment of biliary stones in patients with PSC, with promising results[19]. Liver biopsy is not required to establish a diagnosis of a “classic” form of PSC. However, it is essential in presence of abnormal liver tests and normal cholangiogram to investigate small duct PSC, or in PSC patients with disproportionately elevated serum aminotransferase values to exclude PSC–autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome. The most specific histological finding of PSC is periductal fibrosis with an “onion skin” pattern. In clinical practice, however, histological assessment is often non-specific, demonstrating general features of cholestasis that are similar to those find in primary biliary cirrhosis. Liver biopsy can also play a role in staging the disease and in defining the prognosis[6].

Complications and prognosis: PSC is a progressive disease that leads to severe complications involving liver, biliary tree and intestine. Fibrotic obliteration of intra-hepatic bile ducts finally evolves into liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure and portal hypertension. Disease progression towards end-stage liver disease is unavoidable in most patients, and liver transplantation (LT) is considered the only curative treatment option[21]. In the literature, the median time from diagnosis to death or LT range from 7 to 22 years, with higher survival rates observed in overall PSC populations respected to cohorts of patients from liver transplant centers, which suffer from referral bias[22,23]. In IBD patients, performing colectomy before PSC diagnosis was associated with lower risk of LT and death in a large cohort study in Sweden[14]. Portal hypertension is a frequent complication of PSC, and the presence of esophageal varices at diagnosis or history of variceal hemorrhage are considered predictors of worse prognosis[24]. PSC patients are at increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), gallbladder carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and colorectal carcinoma (CCR). The estimated annual incidence of CCA in patients with PSC range from 0.5% to 1.5%[25,26], with 20%-30% of CCA found synchronously at PSC diagnosis, and 50% of CCA occurring within 1 year[25]. According to a large international, multicentre, PSC cohort study (7121 patients from 37 countries), 10.9% of PSC patients developed a hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy, which was CCA in about 80% of cases[27]. Importantly, concomitant UC was a risk factor for future development of hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies[27]. Gallbladder cancer and HCC are less frequent complication of PSC, with a lifetime incidence of 3%-14% and 0.3%-2.8%, respectively[28]. An increased risk of CCR has been clearly demonstrated in patients with PSC-IBD, compared to patients with IBD or PSC alone. According to a recent meta-analysis of observational studies, patients with IBD and PSC were at increased risk of colorectal cancer compared with patients with IBD alone, with an odds ratio of 3.41 (95%CI: 2.13-5.48). Interestingly, stratification by IBD type revealed that PSC was a risk factor for colorectal cancer in patients with UC, but not in CD patients[29]. In addition, unlike in patients with UC alone, CCR risk in PSC-UC seems to manifest soon after the combined diagnosis, with a peak of incidence within the first 2 years of diagnosis[30]; thus, cancer surveillance is strongly recommended in PSC-UC, even in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) after colectomy[31]. Finally, IBD patients with IPAA and concomitant PSC are at increased risk of pouchitis, with an almost double incidence at 10 years as compared to patients without PSC[32].

Treatment: Treatment of PSC associated with IBD does not differ from PSC without IBD. To date, no medical treatments have been demonstrated to modify the course of “classic” PSC. In particular, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has shown to improve LFT in several studies, but two meta-analyses and a large multicentre study failed to show benefit from UDCA towards important clinical outcomes (e.g. complications and death) in patients with PSC[33,34]. Despite previous studies suggested a role of UDCA in prevention of cancer (CCR or CCA) in PSC, more recent meta-analyses and a randomized control trial did not confirm this effect[35,36]. UDCA is not currently recommended by PSC guidelines for either the treatment or cancer prevention[6,37]. Despite the presumed immune-mediated pathogenesis of the disease, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are not recommended as well[6]. Thus, treatments goals in PSC are directed to the control of symptoms and management of complications, such as varices, liver decompensation, cholangitis, jaundice, pruritus, and malignancies. Endoscopic interventions, mainly ERCP, are a mainstay of PSC management, and specific guidelines have been published from collaboration of European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)[38]. Main indications of ERCP in PSC are acute cholangitis, treatment of dominant strictures and suspicion of CCA. LT is a potential resolutive therapy in PSC patients with end-stage liver disease. Other disease-specific indications are intractable pruritus, recurrent cholangitis, and limited cases of very early stage of CCA[3]. A single-center experience from the Mayo Clinic reported survival rates after LT for PSC-related end-stage liver disease of 86% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years[39]. Recurrence of PSC after LT is a concern, occurring in 12%-37% of cases and causing significant impact on long term graft and recipient survival[40].

Variant forms of PSC

Small duct PSC: A minority of patients with cholestatic biochemistry and typical liver histology with concentric ‘onion skin’ fibrosis around the bile ducts, but with entirely normal cholangiogram, was first described by Wee and Ludwig[41] in 1985; they coined the term “small duct PSC”. In a large multicentre study, 81% of patients with small-duct PSC had IBD, predominantly UC (78%) compared to CD (21%). In this study, none of the patients developed CCA or other intestinal malignancies during a median follow-up of 13 years, but 28% of them shown evidence of progression to large duct PSC at repeated cholangiography[42]. In a large bicentric study from United Kingdom and Norway, only 12% of small duct PSC patients either required LT or died, compared to 47% of patients with “classic” PSC[43].

Overlap between PSC and AIH: PSC/AIH overlap syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by concomitant occurrence of the biochemical and histological features of AIH and the cholangiography abnormalities found in PSC. In a cohort of 211 PSC patients from United States, according to the International AIH group scoring system, AIH was diagnosed as “definite” in 1.4% and “probable” in 6% of patients[44]. An Italian cohort of PSC/AIH patients showed a lower mean age at presentation and higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values compared to “classic” PSC[45]. There is also a strong association between PSC/AIH and IBD; according to a recent systematic review, IBD was present in 44% of PSC/AIH patients, that was UC in 68% of cases[46]. Patients with an established diagnosis of AIH who also have IBD should be evaluated for concomitant PSC. Patients with PSC/AIH seem to benefit from treatment with immunosuppressive medications and have a better prognosis compared to patients with PSC alone[45].

IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis: IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is the biliary manifestation of the multi-organ inflammatory IgG4-related disease. Diagnosis requires histological evidence of IgG4+ plasma cells infiltrate (> 10 per high-power field), imaging of biliary tract involvement (which may be indistinguishable from the “classic” PSC), elevated serum IgG4 levels (> 135 mg/dL), evidence of other organ involvement and response to steroid treatment[47]. Autoimmune pancreatitis is the most frequent organ involvement associated with IgG4-SC, being present in > 90% of cases[48]. An increase in serum IgG4 is reported in 9%-22% of patients with PSC overall[48], making it difficult to distinguish a PSC with high serum IgG4 levels from a “true” IgG4-SC. EASL Cholestatic Liver Disease Guidelines recommends measurement of serum IgG4 in all patients with large-duct PSC at diagnosis[37]. While association with IBD is prevalent in PSC, this is rarely seen in IgG4-SC; high serum IgG4 levels have been observed in about 5% of IBD patients[49]. Unlike in PSC, response to steroid treatment in IgG4-SC is excellent. However, relapse after steroid withdrawal is common[50]; in these cases, second-line treatments include immunomodulators and rituximab[50,51].

AIH

AIH is an immune-mediated chronic liver disease characterized by hepatocellular inflammation, necrosis and progression to cirrhosis. The clinical presentation varies from persistent mild elevation of AST and ALT to fulminant forms of acute hepatitis. Mean age at presentation shows a bimodal pattern with one peak during childhood/teenage years and another between the 4^th and 6^th decade of life. The diagnosis of AIH must be suspected in presence of autoantibodies (mainly antinuclear, smooth muscle, soluble liver antigen/liver pancreas and liver/kidney microsomal type 1 antibodies), IgG elevation, consistent liver histology and exclusion of other forms of hepatitis[52]. Despite most of the data about AIH/IBD coexistence comes from studies focusing on PSC and AIH/PSC overlap syndrome, a higher prevalence of AIH has been found in patients with IBD, compared to subjects without IBD. In the cross-sectional study by Halling et al[53], AIH was more frequent in males and females with IBD compared with matched controls without IBD, with an odds ratio of 7.8 and 17.9, respectively[53]. Another study by Perdigoto et al[54] found a 16% prevalence of UC in patients with AIH, 42% of whom had also PSC features at cholangiography[54]. In this study, patients with colitis failed treatment for AIH more commonly and progressed to cirrhosis more frequently; similar results emerged from the study by Perdigoto et al[54].

Granulomatous hepatitis

Granulomatous hepatitis is a rare complication of IBD, with only a few cases of IBD-associated granulomatous hepatitis reported in literature[55-57]. It occurs more frequently in CD and can underlie an autoimmune pathogenesis or be induced by mesalamine or sulfasalazine therapy[58]. Clinical manifestations include fever, hepatomegaly and increase in cholestatic enzymes, although patients can be completely asymptomatic[59]. Response to corticosteroid therapy is generally good; methotrexate may be considered as second-line therapy in patients relapsing after steroids[60]. Prognosis is usually benign[61].

NON-IMMUNE-MEDIATED DISORDERS

Gallstone disease

Several studies and a meta-analysis showed a prevalence of cholelithiasis in CD ranging from 8% to 34%, with a 2- to 5-fold increased risk compared to the general population[62-68]. Three studies also evaluated UC patients, reporting a prevalence of gallstone disease of 4%-10%; only one of these found a significantly higher risk compared to a population without UC[62], while the other two studies, including the aforementioned meta-analysis, did not demonstrate this increased risk[64-66]. Most studies relied on abdominal ultrasound to diagnose the lithiasis. A recent case-cohort study on a large cohort of IBD patients reported an incidence of cholelithiasis of 5.21/1000 persons/year, compared to a 3.49/1000 persons/year incidence of a matched non-IBD cohort (P < 0.001); the significance was also maintained by differentiating CD and UC[69]. Another case-control study reported an incidence of gallstone disease in CD and UC of 14.35/1000 persons/year and 7.48/1000 persons/year, respectively, that were significantly higher than those of the matched control populations[70]. In all studies assessing both CD and UC, prevalence of gallstone disease was higher in CD compared to UC. Among the risk factors, ileal disease location, previous ileal resection and long-standing disease were the most frequently associated with gallstone disease in IBD[62-64,67,68,70]. The pathogenesis of cholelithiasis in IBD patients is usually attributed to bile salts malabsorption at the terminal ileum; this leads to a decrease in the total bile acid pool, leading to supersaturated bile in gallbladder, which predispose to stone formation[71,72]. Lapidus and Einarsson[71] reported that patients with ileal resection due to CD are characterized by lower cholesterol saturation, but increased bilirubin concentration in fasting duodenal bile, compared to healthy controls; therefore, these patients seem not predisposed to the formation of cholesterol stones, but rather at risk of developing pigment stones[71].

NAFLD

NAFLD refers to a clinical and pathological syndrome that includes a spectrum of histological findings ranging from benign steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is defined by histological evidence of hepatic steatosis associated with inflammation, and can progress to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. A recent meta-analysis reported a worldwide prevalence of NAFLD of 25% in the general population[73], a prevalence that seems to be worryingly increasing over time[74]. In the literature, the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with IBD is variable. Two recent meta-analyses reported a pooled prevalence of NAFLD in IBD of 27.5%[75] and 32%[76]; older age, obesity, type 2 diabetes, longer IBD duration and previous surgery were the main risk factors associated with the development of NAFLD[77]. A further meta-analysis specifically addressing the role of IBD treatment on the risk of NAFLD found no significant association between medications of all types (i.e., steroids, biological agents, immunomodulators, methotrexate) and the risk of developing NAFLD[78]. Several studies also reported a higher prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients with severe disease activity at the time of liver evaluation, compared to mild-moderate IBD cases[77,79,80].

Pyogenic liver abscess

Pyogenic liver abscesses are rarely seen in IBD, with only a few cases reported in literature, mainly in CD. A nationwide case-cohort study from Taiwan reported an incidence of pyogenic liver abscess in IBD patients of 6.7 cases/10000 persons/year, which was significantly higher compared to controls without IBD[81]. Clinical manifestations include fever, chills, anorexia, weight loss and abdominal pain with right upper quadrant tenderness, which can mimic an IBD flare and lead to a diagnostic delay. Moreover, hepatic abscesses have been reported as the initial presentation of CD in several cases[82,83]. Risk factors predisposing to liver abscesses in IBD include abdominal surgery, fistulizing disease, intra-abdominal abscess, malnutrition, and corticosteroid treatment[84]. Dissemination from intra-abdominal abscesses and portal bacteremia secondary to impaired intestinal permeability are the most involved pathogenic mechanism[84].

Portal vein thrombosis

IBD patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)[85]. In two studies on large cohorts of IBD patients with a follow-up time over 10 years, thromboembolic complications were reported in about 1% of patients, with an incidence of VTE of 2.6/1000 persons/year[85,86]. Porto-mesenteric venous system is a frequent site of thrombosis in IBD and is a potentially catastrophic complication, which may lead to bowel ischemia or infarction and to acute or chronic portal hypertension; the mortality rate range between 3%-25%[86,87]. Incidence is higher during disease flares and after surgical procedures[88-90], and prophylactic treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin in severely active disease is indicated by guidelines to reduce the risk of thromboembolism[91]. However, about 30%-50% of thrombosis occurs in remission phases of the disease[92-94], indicating that factors other than inflammatory status can be involved in the pathogenesis of the thrombotic event. Immobilization, extensive colonic disease, central catheters, corticosteroids, and smoking are other known prothrombotic risk factors[90,95]. A hematologic prothrombotic condition can be found in up to 40% of portal vein thrombotic events in IBD, hyperhomocysteinemia being the most frequently found[95]. Thrombocytosis is frequently seen during IBD flares and may result from systemic inflammatory activity and/or iron-deficiency anemia[96]; however, no data on a possible association between thrombocytosis and VTE in IBD is available to date, since large clinical studies addressing this association are still lacking[97]. Moreover, IBD are associated with significant changes in circulating levels of various coagulation factors, as result of an imbalance between procoagulant and anti-coagulant pathways. Specifically, higher levels of prothrombin fragment 1 and 2, fibrinogen, factors V and VIII, thrombin-antithrombin complex, plasmin-α2-antiplasmin complex, and an impairment of the protein C pathway have been described in IBD[97-99]. Specific mutations in clotting factors, e.g. Factor V Leiden, are rare, but important to be identified as they may indicate long-term anticoagulant treatment[100]. European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (ECCO) guidelines recommend appropriate screening for prothrombotic condition after IBD diagnosis and anticoagulant treatment in accordance with international guidelines[95].

DRUG-INDUCED LIVER DISEASE IN IBD

The therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of IBD is gradually expanding. This certainly offers greater potential for therapeutic benefit, but the risk of hepatotoxicity is a concern. Although the overall risk of serious adverse events is low, cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) have been reported for most drugs used in IBD, and some therapies carry a significant risk of liver toxicity. DILI induced by IBD drugs can be allergic/idiosyncratic (dose-independent) or related to hepatotoxins (typically dose-dependent). In addition, some drugs can cause hepatotoxicity with more than one pathogenic mechanism. According to EASL guidelines, the exclusion of other causes of hepatotoxicity is necessary for the diagnosis of DILI, and recovery after drug discontinuation is an important criterion for the causality assessment[101] (Figure 1). The following paragraphs will describe the association between the main drugs used in IBD and the risk and type of DILI.

Aminosalicylates

Sulfasalazine was the first aminosalicylate approved for the induction and maintenance of remission in mild-to-moderate UC. Within the bowel, sulfasalazine is cleaved into sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, most called mesalamine. Sulfapyridine, a sulfa-containing antibacterial agent, is then absorbed from the colon into the bloodstream, transported to the liver, and acetylated; acetylation was reported to be genetically programmed, with slow acetylators having higher levels of free sulfasalazine and more drug-induced adverse events[102]. Mesalamine is minimally absorbed and largely excreted in the stools and is primarily responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect on the colon. The introduction of the various mesalamine formulations has almost completely supplanted the use of sulfasalazine in UC, while the utility of aminosalicylates in CD remains unclear[91,103]. Both sulfapyridine and mesalamine are rarely associated with liver injury. According to the United Kingdom’s Committee on the Safety of Medicines, from 1991 to 1998 the incidence of hepatitis in patients treated with mesalamine was 3.1 cases per million, compared to 6 cases per million in patients treated with sulfasalazine[104]. A French pharmacovigilance study on mesalamine microgranules (Pentasa^®) reported 0.79 cases of LFT elevations per million treatment days over a 2-year period[105]. The toxic effect almost always occurs within the first 2 mo of treatment, and LFT normalize in most cases after drug discontinuation[105]. For sulfasalazine, sporadic cases of granulomatous hepatitis or fulminant hepatitis have been reported[106-108]. Due to this low risk of hepatotoxicity, a close monitoring of liver chemistries is not necessary in patients treated with aminosalicylates.

Thiopurines

Azathioprine (AZA) and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) are two thiopurine analogues widely used for the treatment of IBD. Main indication of AZA and 6-MP is the maintenance of remission in steroid-dependent CD and UC[91,103]. Purine analogues act as DNA synthesis inhibitors by antagonizing endogenous purines, and lead to both cytotoxic and immunosuppressive effects[109]. Overall, adverse events due to thiopurines are frequent and occur in 15%-40% of patients, leading to dose reduction or drug withdrawal[110]. Thiopurine-related adverse events are classified into dose-independent (or allergic/idiosyncratic) and dose-dependent. The former are thought to be immune-mediated and include rash, fever, arthralgia, and pancreatitis; the latter include myelotoxicity as the main manifestation. Thiopurine-induced hepatotoxicity can be both dose-dependent and independent, based on the pathogenetic mechanism involved[111,112]. Dose-independent liver toxicity usually occurs within 3 mo of therapy and includes hypersensitivity and idiosyncratic reactions[111]; type of hepatotoxicity can be described as acute hepatocellular hepatitis, with prevalent increase of aminotransferase levels, acute cholestatic hepatitis, with prevalent increase of serum ALP, or mixed[113,114]. Other less frequent findings include peliosis hepatis, hepatic sinusoidal dilatation, veno-occlusive disease, perisinusoidal and portal fibrosis, and nodular regenerative hyperplasia[113]. Thiopurine-related DILI has been related to thiopurine metabolites. After absorption, AZA is metabolized in the liver to 6-MP, which undergo a complex metabolization by three enzymes; one of them is the thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), that lead to 6-methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP) formation. 6-MMP is a non-effective metabolite which is important in hepatotoxicity development[109]. Approximately 15%–20% of IBD patients treated with thiopurines demonstrate hypermethylation (or shunting), a phenomenon due to a high TPMT activity that leads to preferential methylation of 6-MP to 6-MMP over bioactivation to thioguanine nucleotides (TGNs); the usual definition of hypermethylation is a ratio of 6-MMP to TGNs of > 11. Subtherapeutic TGNs level results in a poor response to therapy, while a high 6-MMP level (> 5700 pmol/8 × 10⁸ erythrocytes) has been correlated with a 3-fold increased risk of liver toxicity[115]. Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of thiopurines into thiouric acid (TUA), thus increasing the bioavailability of 6-MP. Several studies have demonstrated that the combination of low dose thiopurine, i.e. 25%–50% of the standard dose, with 100 mg of allopurinol corrects hypermethylation in patients who have experienced thiopurines-induced hepatotoxicity or who have had a poor response to thiopurines treatment[116,117]. However, Shaye et al[118] showed that about 90% of patients with 6-MMP > 5700 pmol/8 × 10⁸ erythrocytes have no hepatotoxicity and almost 40% of subjects with hepatotoxicity had 6-MMP levels below this cut-off[118]. Moreover, a recent case-control study and a meta-analysis failed to demonstrate any correlations between TPMT gene polymorphisms and hepatic adverse events in IBD patients[119,120]. The reported frequency of thiopurine-related hepatotoxicity varies widely among studies, ranging from to 3% to 17%[108,115,121,122]; a systematic review by Gisbert et al[113] reported a mean prevalence of thiopurine-induced liver injury of 3%, with a mean annual rate of 1.4%[113]. In a prospective cohort study, abnormal liver function (defined by ALT or ALP levels > 50% the upper normal limit) occurred in 13% of patients, while hepatotoxicity (defined by ALT or ALP levels greater than twice the upper normal limit) developed in 10%[111]. CD, liver steatosis and concomitant steroid therapy are reported risk factors for liver injury during thiopurine therapy[108,111,123]. It has been shown that most cases of thiopurine-induced liver injury completely resolved after dose reduction, while the need to discontinue therapy only occurred in about 3%-4% of cases[111,118,124]. Switching from AZA to 6-MP in the case of AZA-induced DILI is a possible strategy, which is effective in resolving the liver toxicity in 71%-87% of cases[114,125]. Despite an optimal frequency has not yet been established, regular monitoring of blood tests should be performed for the entire duration of thiopurine treatment, more frequently in the first 3 mo of therapy[113,126,127]. British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines on IBD recommend the monitoring of full blood count and LFT at 2, 4, 8 and 12 wk of thiopurine therapy, and every 12 wk thereafter[127].

Methotrexate

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid analogue with inhibitory activity against many enzymes in the metabolic pathway of folic acid. MTX inhibits production of thymidylate, purines, and methionine and leads to accumulation of adenosine, which has a potent anti-inflammatory activity. These actions inhibit cellular proliferation and tissue migration, and decrease production of inflammatory mediators[128]. MTX is currently indicated for the maintenance of remission in steroid-dependent CD[129], while its role in UC is still controversial[130]. The hepatotoxic potential of MTX is well known. A meta-analysis of clinical trials on IBD patients treated with MTX reported a pooled incidence rate of abnormal hepatic aminotransferase levels, which the author defined as up to a 2-fold increase over the upper limit of the normal, of 1.4 per 100 person-months. The rate of hepatotoxicity, defined as aminotransferase levels greater than a 2-fold over the upper normal limit, was 0.9 per 100 person-months. The rate of withdrawal of MTX due to these abnormalities was 0.8 per 100 person-months[112,131]. Alcohol intake is a main risk factor for MTX-induced hepatotoxicity and should be strictly avoided. Other potential risk factors are obesity, diabetes mellitus and chronic viral hepatitis[112,131,132]. Folic acid supplementation has been correlated with reduction of methotrexate-induced hepatic adverse events and is therefore recommended[133]. Regular liver chemistry tests are recommended for the monitoring of hepatotoxicity, every 2 wk for the first 2 mo and then every 2-3 mo[134]; the drug should be stopped if transaminases exceed twice the upper normal limit[127]. Although liver biopsy was previously indicated after an MTX-treatment cumulative dose ≥ 1.5 g, this practice is no longer recommended by current rheumatologic guidelines[134], this is based on recent evidence that show a low incidence of liver injury in patients receiving a chronic low dose of MTX[112]. In a retrospective study on 87 IBD patients with a mean MTX cumulative dose of 1813 mg, 76% of patients maintained normal liver chemistry tests throughout MTX therapy; a liver biopsy was performed in 11 patients after a cumulative dose ≥ 1.5 g and found no case of moderate or severe fibrosis[112]. Another study evaluating 20 liver biopsies after a cumulative methotrexate dose of ≥ 1.5 g (mean dose 2.6 g) found mild histological abnormalities in 95% of patients; abnormal liver chemistry tests were present in 30% of patients and did not correlate with histological toxicity[135]. However, liver biopsy should be performed in cases of persistent alteration of transaminases, especially in case of no reduction after lowering the drug dose. Transient elastography is a promising tool for the monitoring of liver fibrosis in MTX-treated patients and can be useful in selecting patients for liver biopsy[136].

Biological agents

Anti-TNF-α: Since its introduction in the 1990s, anti-TNF-α antibody therapy has revolutionized the treatment of IBD. Anti-TNFs, which include infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab and certolizumab pegol, are approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe CD and UC and demonstrated high efficacy in the induction and maintenance of both clinical and endoscopic remission[91,103]. Several types of anti-TNF-related adverse events have been reported, mostly of infectious, auto-immune and tumoral types. DILI caused by anti-TNF is uncommon, mostly mild and related to infliximab. However, cases of liver failure requiring transplantation has rarely been reported[137-139]. Shelton et al[140] evaluated the incidence of liver enzyme elevation in a large cohort of IBD patients treated with anti-TNF: Only 102 out of 1753 patients (6%) developed ALT elevation, and in about half of cases this could clearly be linked to an alternative etiology. Infliximab was the involved anti-TNF in 96% cases. Compared to a control population of anti-TNF-treated patients without liver enzyme elevation, no difference in concomitant immunomodulator therapy, body max index, age and gender was found. The majority of patients with ALT elevation continued anti-TNF, most of them normalizing the liver enzyme during the follow-up. In 10 patients switching to a second anti-TNF was performed, without recurrence of liver injury[140]. Ghabril et al[141] identified 34 cases of DILI related to anti-TNF used for a variety of auto-immune conditions from a review of the United States DILI Network database and PubMed research. The drug presumed to have caused DILI was infliximab in 76% of cases. The liver injury was scored as mild-to-moderate in 93% of cases. Fifteen of the 17 patients undergoing liver biopsy showed clear features of autoimmunity. All patients improved after discontinuation of the anti-TNF[141]. The mechanism underlying liver toxicity remains to be elucidated. Infliximab-related hepatitis seems to be sustained by an immune-mediated mechanism, mimicking the characteristics of AIH type I, although a direct liver damage cannot be ruled out[112]. Currently, Food and Drug Administration classifies infliximab as a Most-DILI-concern drug, adalimumab as a Less-DILI-concern drug, and golimumab and certolizumab as Ambiguous-DILI-concern drug[142]. The current consensus recommends the use of infliximab in selected cases of patients with significant liver disease, and that treatment should be discontinued or avoided in patients with transaminases above three times the upper limit of normal[143].

Anti-integrins: Natalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that antagonizes both the integrins α4β1 and α4β7, which are necessary for the homing of lymphocytes to brain and gut, respectively. Natalizumab is therefore approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and has been tested with good results in CD; however, the risk of JC virus-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has limited its use in IBD[144-146]. Vedolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody which, unlike natalizumab, specifically inhibits α4β7 integrin, thus eliminating the risk of PML[147]. Vedolizumab is approved for the treatment of both moderate to severely active CD and UC since 2014[91,103]. To date, only sporadic cases of liver injury during vedolizumab therapy have been reported[148,149]. In the prelicensure trials, three patients developed hepatitis, although it is unclear whether the increase in transaminases indicated drug-induced or autoimmune etiology[150]. In the GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 phase III trials, no differences in LFT were found compared to placebo[151,152]. Therefore, vedolizumab is considered almost free from liver toxicity.

Anti-interleukin 12/23: Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against the p40 subunit, which is a component of both interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23, allowing this drug to simultaneously inhibit both these cytokines. Ustekinumab has been recently approved as a second line therapy for moderate-to-severe CD and UC since 2016 and 2019, respectively[153,154]. Although current data are limited, liver injury related to ustekinumab seems to be very uncommon. In the phase III trial on CD, a similar rate of adverse events compared to placebo was reported, with no mention of hepatotoxicity[153]. According to the Clinical and Research Information on DILI database, mild-to-moderate serum aminotransferase elevation was reported in 0.5% to 1.4% of patients during ustekinumab therapy. However, this event was no more frequent than placebo and resolved without discontinuing the drug[155]. Risankizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against p19 subunit of IL-23 and therefore selectively inhibit this cytokine. Phase II and III trials in IBD are ongoing and safety data are still limited[156].

Tofacitinib

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor and is the first drug of this class approved for the treatment of IBD, specifically UC since May 2018[157], while others are currently being tested in phase II and III trials[158]. Tofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active UC, who have had an inadequate response or who are intolerant to anti-TNF[127,158]. Data about hepatotoxic effects of tofacitinib mainly derive from rheumatoid arthritis, where a slight ALT elevation was reported in about 30% of patients, but elevation above 3 times the upper normal limit occurred in 1%-2% of patients[159-161]. Data regarding tofacitinib-induced liver toxicity in IBD are still limited. However, no increased incidence of liver injury has been reported either in the pivotal trial or in subsequent real-life studies[162-165].

IBD AND VIRAL HEPATITIS B AND C

In literature, the reported prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBc positivity in IBD patients ranges from 0.6%-5.7% and from 1.6%-41.6%, respectively, depending on the geographic area considered[166]. Despite previous studies reported a higher prevalence of HBV positivity in IBD patients compared to the general population, more recent studies indicated an equal or lower prevalence which tends to decrease over time, suggesting that preventive measures like vaccination, use of disposable materials and implementation of transfusion safety programs are effective[166,167]. The risk of viral reactivation is a major concern in HBV patients treated with immunosuppressants. This event is closely related both to the stage of the infection and the type of immunosuppressive drug used. HBV reactivation, defined as the increase in HBV viremia of more than 1 Log10 IU/mL, is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, that range from viremia without clinically relevant manifestations to fulminant life-threatening hepatitis[168]. For this reason, both ECCO and BSG guidelines recommend hepatitis B screening immediately after diagnosis of IBD, checking for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc[127,169]. If screening was not performed at the time of diagnosis, it should be performed before immunosuppressive therapy initiation[127,169]. HBsAg-positive/anti-HBc–positive patients carry the higher risk of reactivation, and should receive potent anti-viral agents (nucleoside/nucleotide analogues with high barrier to resistance) such as tenofovir and entecavir. Prophylactic treatment should be started 3-4 wk before immunosuppressive therapy and continued until at least 12 mo after the end of treatment[169]. HBsAg-negative/anti-HBc–positive patients are considered to have occult infection and viral reactivation is rare in this group with types of immunosuppressants used in IBD; in this case, HBV viremia (HBV-DNA) should be checked every 2-3 mo during the treatment and antiviral treatment started when HBV-DNA is detected[169]. Hepatitis B vaccination in all seronegative patients at IBD diagnosis is recommended by ECCO guidelines[169], while BSG guidelines indicate vaccination in high-risk groups[127]. Anti-HBs level should be measured after vaccination to confirm response; however, a reduction in vaccination during immunosuppressive therapy (mainly immunomodulators and anti-TNF) has emerged from several studies[170] and a recent meta-analysis[171]. Indications for the management of the IBD patient undergoing immunosuppressive therapy according to HBV status are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2 Management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing immunosuppressive therapy according to hepatitis B status.

Hepatitis B status	Indications
HBsAg positive/anti-HBc positive (chronic hepatitis B)	Antiviral treatment (start 3-4 wk before and continue at least 12 mo after the immunosuppressive treatment)
HBsAg negative/anti-HBc positive (occult hepatitis B)	Liver function tests monitoring every 2-3 mo
HBsAg negative/anti-HBc negative/anti-HBs negative (naïve for hepatitis B)	Vaccination (indicated at diagnosis)
HBsAg negative/anti-HBc negative/anti-HBs positive	Check previous hepatitis B vaccination. Dose hepatitis B virus-DNA if uncertainty

HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen.

Hepatitis C prevalence in IBD is similar to the general population[168]. The risk of HCV reactivation under immunosuppressive therapies used in IBD is low[172,173]. Small case series reported successful treatment of hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) in patients on anti-TNF therapy[170] and no drug-drug interaction between DAA and anti-TNF has emerged[174]; thus, concomitant treatment with DAA and anti-TNF seems to be safe, although more studies specifically addressing this setting are needed.

CONCLUSION

Hepatobiliary disorders are frequently seen in IBD, and PSC represents the most common of them. A broad spectrum of pathogenic mechanisms may underlie the disorders, ranging from autoimmune conditions, metabolic diseases, infections up to drug toxicity, and two or more diseases can co-exist in the same patient. Moreover, liver disease severity can range from mild, which only requires monitoring over time, to liver failure, that may require LT. A step-by-step approach to the IBD patient with abnormal LFTs is extremely important to make the correct diagnosis, prevent complications, and identify those cases that warrant early and aggressive treatment. Finally, the diagnostic complexity often requires a multidisciplinary management involving gastroenterologist and hepatologist.