The Utility of Noninvasive Scoring Systems for Prediction of Hepatic Steatosis in Liver Transplantation Donor Candidates

BackgroundThe degree of liver steatosis is an important factor for donor selection in living donor liver transplantation. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has long been used in many transplantation centers to determine donor liver steatosis. Noninvasive scoring methods based on laboratory tests have been investigated as potential methods for altering liver biopsy and imaging techniques in evaluating the liver steatosis. In this study, we assess the utility of several noninvasive methods for the evaluation of donor hepatosteatosis. In comparison, MDCT was used for the evaluation of liver steatosis.MethodsA total of 205 donor candidates with significant hepatosteatosis were included in the study and divided into 4 groups according to the degrees of steatosis as measured by MDCT (mild, mid- to moderate, moderate to severe, and severe). In comparison, the aspartate aminotransferase–platelet ratio index (APRI), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score, BARD score, and FIB–4 scores were calculated.ResultsThe diagnostic performance of APRI in prediction of all degrees of hepatosteatosis on MDCT was significantly higher (P < .01). The BARD score showed the second best performance (P = .018), whereas FIB–4 and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score were not correlated with degree of liver steatosis on MDCT.ConclusionSome noninvasive scoring methods including APRI and BARD score seem to be more beneficial for the detection of hepatic steatosis in donor candidates and may reduce the need for other invasive and expensive diagnostic techniques.