Liver stiffness measurement, better than APRI, Fibroindex, Fib-4, and NBI gastroscopy, predicts portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis

Transient elastography and platelet count as noninvasive predictors of gastroesophageal varices in patients with compensated hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis

Background

Early detection of esophageal varices (EV) before the first attack of bleeding is crucial for primary prophylaxis. The current work aims to investigate the use of a combination of FibroScan and platelet count as noninvasive means to identify EV in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Methods

Sixty-two patients with compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis were divided into two groups with and without EV. All patients were exposed to complete history, physical examination, laboratory, and endoscopic evaluation. FibroScan was performed for all patients, and the two groups were compared.

Results

A statistically significant higher mean liver stiffness measurement (LSM) (KPa), lower mean platelet count to splenic diameter ratio (PSR), and higher mean fibrosis-4 (FIB4) score were noticed in those with EV with P < 0.0005. A cutoff value of ≥23.1 for LSM, ≥3.71 for FIB4, and ≥130 mm for splenic diameter have a sensitivity of 94%, 97%, and 97% and a specificity of 81%, 81%, and 68%, respectively, in the detection of varices. Platelet count of ≥112,500 (×103/dl) and of ≥771.33 for PSR have a sensitivity of 84% and 77% and a specificity of 87% and 90%, respectively, to rule out the presence of varices. LSM, FIB4 score, and splenic diameter are predictors of the presence of varices where platelet count and PSR are negative predictors.

Conclusion

The combination of LSM by transient elastography (TE), PSR, or platelet count can be used to detect a relevant category of patients with compensated cirrhosis who have a very low possibility of EV where endoscopy can be avoided.

Assessment of liver fibrosis with liver and spleen stiffness measured by sound touch elastography, serum fibrosis markers in patients with chronic hepatitis B

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the performance of liver stiffness (LS) and spleen stiffness (SS) by using the sound touch elastography (STE) technique and compare with those of the splenic index, aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, King's score and combined models for diagnosing and staging fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS

One hundred patients with CHB underwent STE and serological tests. LS and SS values were measured with STE technique, and splenic index was calculated. Staging of fibrosis was determined with liver biopsy. Correlations between the individual parameters and the stage of fibrosis were evaluated with the Spearman correlation analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated to analyze the performance of all methods.

RESULTS

Among all individual parameters, LS showed the highest AUROC for diagnosing fibrosis of ≥S2, ≥S3, and S4 stages (AUROC: 0.70, 0.86, and 0.96, respectively; all P < 0.05). The AUROC of combined model 1 (LS and SS) and 2 (LS, SS, APRI, FIB-4 index, King's score) for diagnosing ≥S2, ≥S3, and S4 fibrosis were 0.70, 0.86, 0.97, and 0.70, 0.86, 0.96, respectively, which were higher than those of APRI, FIB-4 index and the King's score (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between two combined models and LS for staging fibrosis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

LS measurement is reliable for diagnosing and staging fibrosis in CHB, with a better performance than SS, splenic index and serum biomarkers. It is also comparable with the performance of combined models.

Per-rectal portal scintigraphy as an alternative measure of hepatic venous pressure gradient in chronic liver disease: A preliminary report

AIM

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement is a gold standard for the diagnosis of portal hypertension but can be invasive and difficult to conduct. Per-rectal portal scintigraphy (PRPS) can estimate portal haemodynamics noninvasively. However, no report to date has examined the association between HVPG and PRPS in patients with chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis.

METHODS

This single-centre study included a total of 21 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent HVPG measurement and PRPS. For PRPS, the transit times from injection of the radiotracer to its inflow into the liver (TTL) and heart (TTH) were set and the time difference between TTL and TTH (TDLH) was calculated, while the shunt index (SI) was measured.

RESULTS

Cirrhosis was observed in 18 cases (86%), and the median HVPG was 13 mmHg. HVPG (p = 0.028), TTL (p = 0.018), TDLH (p = 0.003) and SI (p = 0.033) were higher in patients with oesophageal varices (EV). Considering the diagnostic ability for EV, the area under the curve was 0.88 for TDLH and 0.80 for HVPG. TDLH was significantly correlated with the risk of EV rupture (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Patients with chronic liver disease should undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy when the TDLH is high.

Validation of the liver traffic light test as a predictive model for survival and development of liver-related events

Background and Aim

Liver disease mortality rates continue to rise due to late diagnosis. We need noninvasive tests to be made available in the community that can identify patients at risk from a serious liver‐related event (SLE). We examine the performance of a blood test, the liver traffic light test (LTLT), with regard to its ability to predict survival and SLEs.

Methods

Using routinely gathered clinical data, sequential LTLT test results from 4854 individuals with suspected liver disease were prospectively analyzed (median follow‐up 41 months). An SLE was defined as the development of cirrhosis, liver failure, ascites, or varices. Patients were graded as follows: red (high risk), amber (intermediate risk), and green (low risk).

Results

Overall, 565 individuals experienced an SLE (11.6%). The area under the curve (AUC) for the continuous LTLT variable was 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.85–0.89) for prediction of an SLE and 0.81 (0.78–0.84) for mortality. When categorized into red/amber/green grades, a red LTLT result predicted an SLE with negative and positive predictive values of 0.97 and 0.29, respectively. A red LTLT score predicted mortality with negative and positive predictive values of 0.98 and 0.18, respectively. Kaplan–Meier plots demonstrated increased mortality and SLEs in the red group versus the green and amber groups (P < 0.001) and an increase in SLEs in the amber versus green group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Here, the LTLT is further validated for the prediction of survival and SLE development. The LTLT could aid primary care risk management and referral pathways with the aim of detecting and treating liver disease earlier in the general population.

Role of non-invasive markers in prediction of esophageal varices and variceal bleeding in patients of alcoholic liver cirrhosis from central India

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Alcohol is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis, which results in portal hypertension and subsequently, culminates into esophageal varices and esophgeal variceal bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is gold standard for diagnosis of varices. Non-invasive markers based on clinical, laboratory - ultrasonographic parameters can be utilised for prediction of risk of esophageal varices - variceal bleed in alcoholic cirrhosis from central India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross sectional observational study. Child Turcot Pugh scores, MELD, AST ALT Ratio(AAR), AST Platelet Ratio Index(APRI), FIB-4 index and Platelet count-Spleen diameter(PC/SD) ratio were calculated for all patients and correlated with esophagogastroduodenoscopy findings. Short term follow up was done for variceal bleeding.

RESULTS

Total 202 male patients were included with mean age of 43.77±9.95 years. 188(93%) patients had esophageal varices. 61(30.19%) patients had variceal bleeding. On univariate analysis platelet count, APRI, spleen bipolar diameter, and PC/SD ratio were significantly associated with varices. For prediction of esophageal varices, only PC/SD ratio was significant and showed area under the curve of 65.6% at cut-off of <997. CTP score, FIB-4, APRI, and PC/SD ratio were significant for variceal bleeding. At cut-off <985 PC/SD ratio had sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 63% with AUC of 78% for prediction of variceal bleeding. Also, FIB-4 and APRI had diagnostic accuracy of 64% and 61% with AUC of 74% and 72% respectively for bleed.

CONCLUSION

FIB-4 and PC/SD may be useful among armamentarium of non-invasive markers for predicting esophageal varices and risk of variceal bleeding in alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Diagnostic value of FIB-4, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and liver stiffness measurement in hepatitis B virus-infected patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase

AIM

To assess the diagnostic value of FIB-4, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in patients with hepatitis B virus infection who have persistently normal alanine transaminase (PNALT).

METHODS

We enrolled 245 patients with chronic hepatitis B: 95 in PNALT group, 86 in intermittently elevated alanine transaminase (PIALT1) group [alanine transaminase (ALT) within 1-2 × upper limit of normal value (ULN)], and 64 in PIALT2 group (ALT > 2 × ULN). All the patients received a percutaneous liver biopsy guided by ultrasonography. LSM, biochemical tests, and complete blood cell counts were performed.

RESULTS

The pathological examination revealed moderate inflammatory necrosis ratios of 16.81% (16/95), 32.56% (28/86), and 45.31% (28/64), and moderate liver fibrosis of 24.2% (23/95), 33.72% (29/86), and 43.75% (28/64) in the PNALT, PIALT1, and PIALT2 groups, respectively. The degrees of inflammation and liver fibrosis were significantly higher in the PIALT groups than in the PNALT group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the areas under the curve (AUCs) between APRI and FIB-4 in the PNALT group; however, significant differences were found between APRI and LSM, and between FIB-4 and LSM in the PNALT group (P < 0.05 for both). In the PIALT1 and PIALT2 groups, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in AUCs for all comparisons (P > 0.05 for all). In the overall patients, a significant difference in the AUCs was found only between LSM and APRI (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

APRI and FIB-4 are not the ideal noninvasive hepatic fibrosis markers for PNALT patients. LSM is superior to APRI and FIB-4 in PNALT patients because of the influence of liver inflammation and necrosis.

Diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive liver fibrosis indexes in predicting portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis

Background

Recent data suggest that noninvasive liver fibrosis indexes could be useful for predicting esophageal varices (EV) in cirrhotic patients. However, thus far, the diagnostic efficacy of these indexes in predicting portal hypertension (PH) in cirrhotic patients has been poorly evaluated.

Aims

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive liver fibrosis indexes in the diagnosis of PH.

Methods

A total of 238 cirrhotic patients underwent hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) evaluation and relevant serum tests to analyze the variables associated with PH grade. Then, the diagnostic performances of seven fibrosis indexes, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AAR), AST-to-platelet (PLT) ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index (FI), FIB-4, Forns index, King’s score and the Lok index, were evaluated to determine their efficacy in predicting clinically significant PH (CSPH) and severe PH (SPH). In addition, the performances of these fibrosis indexes in different subgroups were investigated.

Results

The results of a multivariate analysis of serum markers showed that AST values, platelet (PLT) count and albumin (ALB) were associated with PH grade. Among the seven—fibrosis indexes, King’s score, APRI and the Lok index showed modest diagnostic accuracy in predicting CSPH and SPH, as indicated by AUC of 0.755 and 0.742, 0.740 and 0.742, and 0.722 and 0.717, respectively. In addition, combination of King’s score (cutoff 23.47) and Lok index (cutoff 1.30) predicted presence of CSPH, with the highest PPV (95.38%) and +LR (5.49). A subgroup analysis indicated that the noninvasive screening model may be more applicable to patients with cirrhosis of viral etiology.

Conclusions

Serum liver fibrosis indexes exhibited modest diagnostic accuracy for PH in cirrhotic patients. These indexes may not be able to replace HVPG measurements for the diagnosis of PH but may be used as a first-line screening method for CSPH in liver cirrhosis patients.

Accuracy of M2BPGi, compared with Fibro Scan®, in analysis of liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Mac-2 Binding Protein Glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel serological glyco-biomarker for staging liver fibrosis. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of serum M2BPGi in identifying liver fibrosis stages in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

METHODS

Serum M2BPGi levels were evaluated in 680 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 164 healthy controls who underwent the Fibro Scan® test of liver fibrosis. The diagnostic accuracy of serum M2BPGi values was compared to that of other fibrosis markers, including Fibro Scan®, the aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), the fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB4), and the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR).

RESULTS

Among the chronic hepatitis C patients, the median serum M2BPGi level increased with increasing fibrosis score as follows: 0.88 (≤F2), 1.70 (F2/F3), and 5.68 (cirrhosis). M2BPGi concentrations could also distinguish between healthy controls (0.38 ± 0.24) and hepatitis C patients (1.57 ± 2.28). After adjusting for potential confounders, M2BPGi was the most significant factor associated with the liver stiffness measurement (effect size = 0.275, P < 0.001). The optimum cutoff values of serum M2BPGi for patients with F2 and F4 were 0.945 and 1.355, respectively. The area under the curve of serum M2BPGi for prediction of significant fibrosis (F ≥ 4) using was comparable to that of APRI (0.892 vs. 0.873), while it was superior to that of other alternative markers, including FIB4 (0.818) and GPR (0.851). Compared with other non-invasive markers, M2BPGi had the greatest specificity for diagnosing cirrhosis and cirrhosis in hepatitis C patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the level of serum M2BPGi would be a simple and reliable diagnostic tool for identifying liver fibrosis stage in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis.

Shear wave elastography with a new reliability indicator

Non-invasive methods for liver stiffness assessment have been introduced over recent years. Of these, two main methods for estimating liver fibrosis using ultrasound elastography have become established in clinical practice: shear wave elastography and quasi-static or strain elastography. Shear waves are waves with a motion perpendicular (lateral) to the direction of the generating force. Shear waves travel relatively slowly (between 1 and 10 m/s). The stiffness of the liver tissue can be assessed based on shear wave velocity (the stiffness increases with the speed). The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology has published Guidelines and Recommendations that describe these technologies and provide recommendations for their clinical use. Most of the data available to date has been published using the Fibroscan (Echosens, France), point shear wave speed measurement using an acoustic radiation force impulse (Siemens, Germany) and 2D shear wave elastography using the Aixplorer (SuperSonic Imagine, France). More recently, also other manufacturers have introduced shear wave elastography technology into the market. A comparison of data obtained using different techniques for shear wave propagation and velocity measurement is of key interest for future studies, recommendations and guidelines. Here, we present a recently introduced shear wave elastography technology from Hitachi and discuss its reproducibility and comparability to the already established technologies.

Diagnostic non-invasive model of large risky esophageal varices in cirrhotic hepatitis C virus patients

AIM

To build a diagnostic non-invasive model for screening of large varices in cirrhotic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 124 post-HCV cirrhotic patients presenting to the clinics of the Endemic Medicine Department at Mansoura University Hospital for evaluation before HCV antiviral therapy: 78 were Child A and 46 were Child B (score ≤ 8). Inclusion criteria for patients enrolled in this study was presence of cirrhotic HCV (diagnosed by either biopsy or fulfillment of clinical basis). Exclusion criteria consisted of patients with other etiologies of liver cirrhosis, e.g., hepatitis B virus and patients with high MELD score on transplant list. All patients were subjected to full medical record, full basic investigations, endoscopy, and computed tomography (CT), and then divided into groups with no varices, small varices, or large risky varices. In addition, values of Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and platelet count/splenic diameter ratio (PC/SD) were also calculated.

RESULTS

Detection of large varies is a multi-factorial process, affected by many variables. Choosing binary logistic regression, dependent factors were either large or small varices while independent factors included CT variables such coronary vein diameter, portal vein (PV) diameter, lieno-renal shunt and other laboratory non-invasive variables namely FIB-4, APRI, and platelet count/splenic diameter. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the accuracy of non-invasive parameters for predicting the presence of large esophageal varices and the area under the ROC curve for each one of these parameters was obtained. A model was established and the best model for prediction of large risky esophageal varices used both PC/SD and PV diameter (75% accuracy), while the logistic model equation was shown to be (PV diameter × -0.256) plus (PC/SD × -0.006) plus (8.155). Values nearing 2 or more denote large varices.

CONCLUSION

This model equation has 86.9% sensitivity and 57.1% specificity, and would be of clinical applicability with 75% accuracy.

Liver ultrasound elastography: More than staging the disease

Ultrasound elastography is perhaps the most important breakthrough in the evolution of ultrasonography in the last 15 years. Since transient elastography was introduced, many other methods have been developed and became more and more widely available. The value of ultrasound elastography in staging a chronic liver disease has been established by numerous studies. There have been many studies that have shown that using liver elastography it is possible to predict the presence of the complications of cirrhosis: portal hypertension, presence of esophageal varices (and even their risk of bleeding) and hepatocellular carcinoma. It has been shown that liver elastography can predict the progression of liver fibrosis and also the survival (hepatic events - free) of the patients with chronic liver diseases. These are the real quests of the clinicians, this is the ultimate scope of any medical investigation - to predict the outcome of a patient and to help making therapeutic decisions. I brought together only a small amount of the data that has already been written on this subject to support my affirmation that liver ultrasound elastography is more than a tool for staging the liver disease, but it is also comparable to a crystal ball which in the hands of a skilled clinician can reveal the future of the patient and can help to improve this future.