Increased liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography in severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B

Background and Aims:  The proposed cut-off values for the degree of fibrosis as assessed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM) might not be applicable in severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to assess the effect of necroinflammatory activity on LSM in this condition.
Methods:  We prospectively recruited consecutive patients with severe acute exacerbation of CHB (alanine aminotransferase or ALT > 10× upper limit of normal). The relationship of ALT levels and LSM were serially assessed and liver biopsy was carried out after ALT normalization.
Results:  Eleven patients (10 male, median age 43 years) were followed up for 25 weeks; nine patients received antiviral therapy. Overall, LSM was positively correlated with ALT levels ( r  = 0.67, P  < 0.001). At initial presentation, the median serum ALT and LSM was 1136 (581–2210) IU/L and 26.3 (11.1–33.3) kPa. A progressive reduction in LSM was observed during subsequent visits in parallel with the reduction of ALT levels. At the last visit, the median ALT was 27 (11–52) IU/L and LSM was 7.7 (4.7–10.8) kPa. Among the five patients who had liver biopsy carried out at week 25, four patients had F2 fibrosis (LSM 5.7–8.1 kPa) and one patient had F3 fibrosis (LSM 8.6 kPa).
Conclusions:  LSM using transient elastography with the current proposed cut-off values might misdiagnose liver cirrhosis in patients suffering from severe acute exacerbation of CHB. LSM should be assessed after normalization of ALT levels in order to accurately assess the degree of fibrosis.     

Noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis by measurement of stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of the progression of chronic hepatitis C, and its assessment by liver biopsy (LB) can help determine therapy. However, biopsy is an invasive procedure with several limitations. A new, noninvasive medical device based on transient elastography has been designed to measure liver stiffness. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the evaluation of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We prospectively enrolled 327 patients with chronic hepatitis C in a multicenter study. Patients underwent LB and LSM. METAVIR liver fibrosis stages were assessed on biopsy specimens by 2 pathologists. LSM was performed by transient elastography. Efficiency of LSM and optimal cutoff values for fibrosis stage assessment were determined by a receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis and cross-validated by the jack-knife method. LSM was well correlated with fibrosis stage (Kendall correlation coefficient: 0.55; P < .0001). The areas under ROC curves were 0.79 (95% CI, 0.73-0.84) for F > or =2, 0.91 (0.87-0.96) for F > or =3, and 0.97 (0.93-1) for F=4; for larger biopsies, these values were, respectively, 0.81, 0.95, and 0.99. Optimal stiffness cutoff values of 8.7 and 14.5 kPa showed F > or =2 and F=4, respectively. In conclusion, noninvasive assessment of liver stiffness with transient elastography appears as a reliable tool to detect significant fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.     

Transient elastography for the noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis: a multicentre Canadian study

BACKGROUND

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using transient elastography (TE) is a promising tool for the noninvasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the feasibility and performance of TE in a North American cohort of patients with chronic liver disease.

METHODS

LSMs were obtained using TE in 260 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease from four Canadian hepatology centres. The accuracy of TE compared with liver biopsy for the prediction of significant fibrosis (Metavir fibrosis score of F2 or greater), bridging fibrosis (Metavir fibrosis score of F3 or greater) and cirrhosis (Metavir fibrosis score of F4 ) was assessed using area under ROC curves (AUROCs), and compared with the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index. The influence of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and other factors on liver stiffness was determined using linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Failure of TE occurred in 2.7% of patients, while liver biopsies were inadequate for staging in 0.8%. Among the remaining 251 patients, the AUROCs of TE for Metavir fibrosis scores of F2 and F3 or greater, and F4 were 0.74 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.80), 0.89 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.94), and 0.94 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.97), respectively. LSM was more accurate than the aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index for bridging fibrosis (AUROC 0.78) and cirrhosis (AUROC 0.88), but not significant fibrosis (AUROC 0.76). At a cut-off of 11.1 kPa, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for cirrhosis (prevalence 11%) were 96%, 81%, 39% and 99%, respectively. For significant fibrosis (prevalence 53%), a cut-off of 7.7 kPa was 68% sensitive and 69% specific, and had a positive predictive value of 70% and a negative predictive value of 65%. Liver stiffness was independently associated with ALT, body mass index and steatosis. The optimal LSM cut-offs for cirrhosis were 11.1 kPa and 11.5 kPa in patients with ALT levels lower than 100 U/L and 100 U/L or greater, respectively. For fibrosis scores of F2 or greater, these figures were 7.0 kPa and 8.6 kPa, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The major role of TE is the exclusion of bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, TE cannot replace biopsy for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis. Because liver stiffness may be influenced by significant ALT elevation, body mass index and/or steatosis, tailored liver stiffness cut-offs may be necessary to account for these factors.     

丙氨酸转氨酶对FibroScan诊断慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化分期的影响

目的 探讨慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者中,不同水平的ALT对FibroScan诊断不同肝纤维化分期准确性的影响.方法 回顾性分析213例慢性乙型肝炎患者,根据血清ALT水平分为ALT＜1×正常值上限(ULN)、1×ULN≤ALT＜2×ULN和ALT≥2×ULN 3组,分析3组采用FibroScan诊断不同肝纤维化分期的ROC曲线下面积,判断其诊断准确性.根据不同资料采用t检验、x2检验、受试者工作曲线或其曲线下面积(AUROC)进行统计学分析.结果在213例CHB患者中,FibroScan值与不同肝纤维化分期在3组患者中均有明显的相关性(rs值分别为0.773、0.889和0.412,P值均＜0.05).FibroScan诊断2级以上肝纤维化(F≥2,F0～1对比F2～4)和肝硬化(F=4,F0～3对比F4)的AUROC分别为0.916和0.971;其截断值分别为7.0kPa和13.0kPa;准确度分别为84.0%和93.4%.其诊断F≥2的AUROC和准确度均低于肝硬化.ALT＜1×ULN、1×ULN≤ALT＜2×ULN和ALT≥2×ULN 3组在诊断明显肝纤维化的AUROC分别为0.939、0.967和0.687,其敏感度分别为90.0%、89.7%和47.8%;准确度为90.5%、93.9%和68.4%.ALT≥2×ULN组的AUROC、敏感度和准确度明显低于另两组;而ALT＜2×ULN两组的AUROC和准确度相近.ALT＜1×ULN、1×ULN≤ALT＜2×ULN和ALT≥2×ULN 3组在诊断肝硬化的AUROC分别为0.970、0.985和0.952,其敏感度分别为93.8%、100%和100%;准确度分别为:88.9%、95.9%和92.1%.3组的AUROC、敏感度和准确度均较高,未随ALT升高而出现明显变化.结论 FibroScan是诊断2级以上肝纤维化,尤其是肝硬化可靠的检测方法; FibroScan诊断慢性乙型肝炎所致肝硬化的准确性可能受ALT升高的影响不明显;诊断2级以上肝纤维化的准确性对于ALT＜2×ULN的慢性乙型肝炎患者无明显影响,但是对ALT≥2×ULN的患者,其诊断的准确性降低.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze whether or not the accuracy of liver stiffness measurement (LSM)with transient elastography (FibroScan) for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis influenced by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods 213 consecutive CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy and LSM were enrolled and divided into three groups by the criteria of ALT＜1×ULN, 1×ULN≤ALT＜2×ULN and ALT≥2×ULN. The areas under the receiver operating curve (AUC) were analyzed and the accuracy of FibroScan for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis were detected in the three groups. Results Significant correlation existed between the stages of liver fibrosis and LSM (rs=0.773,0.889 and 0.412, P＜0.05). AUCs of LSM in all patients for significant fibrosis (F≥2, F0-1 vs F2-4)and cirrhosis (F=4, F0-3 vs F4) were 0.916 and 0.971 respectively.The accuracy of diagnosis for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were 84.0% and 93.4% respectively.AUCs of LSM in ALT＜1×ULN,1×ULN≤ALT＜2×ULN and ALT≥2×ULN groups for significant fibrosis were 0.939, 0.967 and 0.687 respectively.The sensitivity of the three groups was 90.0%, 89.7% and 47.8% respectively. The accuracies of the three groups was 90.5%, 93.9% and 68.4% respectively. The AUC, sensitivity and accuracy of ALT≥2×ULN group for significant fibrosis were significantly lower than the other two groups. AUCs of LSM in three groups for cirrhosis were 0.970, 0.985 and 0.952 respectively. The sensitivities of the three groups were 93.8%,100% and 100% respectively. The accuracies of the three groups were 88.9%, 95.9% and 92.1% respectively.The AUCs, sensitivity and accuracy for cirrhosis of the three groups didn't change with elevated ALT. Conclusion Transient elastography (FibroScan) is a reasonable noninvasive tool to diagnose significant fibrosis,especially liver cirrhosis in CHB patients. The accuracy of FibroScan for diagnosis of liver cirrhosis may not be influenced by elevated ALT. While in ALT≥2 ×ULN group, the accuracy of FibroScan for diagnosis of significant fibrosis was significantly lower as compared to the ALT≤2×ULN groups.     

瞬时弹性扫描检测慢性乙型肝炎病情严重程度的研究

目的 探讨瞬时弹性扫描(TE)诊断慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)肝纤维化状态的临床价值.方法 969例CHB患者纳入研究,均接受TE检查,其中258例还接受肝活检,117例接受胃镜检查食管静脉曲张情况.结果 35例患者因TE检查成功率低于60%或肝脏弹性值(LSM)四分位偏差值/LSM比值高于0.3而被剔除.影响LSM的因素包括胆红素、AST、肝纤维化分期、炎症分级、超声波评分及血白蛋白水平.TE预测肝硬化Child-PughC级、B/C级、肝纤维化分期S4、≥S3、≥S2的接受者操作特征(ROC)曲线下面积分别为0.907、0.920、0.871、0.852及0.807.LSM＜32.2 kPa时排除Child-Pugh C级的可能性为99.4%,LSM≥35.3 kPa时诊断Child-Pugh B/C级的可能性为82.0%.对于代偿性CHB,LSM临界值23.3、15.2及10.8 kPa诊断肝硬化、肝纤维化分期≥S3及≥S2的阳性似然比均接近10.0;LSM临界值8.8、6.6 kPa排除肝硬化、肝纤维化分期≥S3的阴性似然比接近0.1.LSM与食管静脉曲张分期的等级相关系数仅为0.180,TE预测食管静脉曲张的ROC曲线下面积似无临床意义.结论 TE可较准确预测CHB患者肝纤维化严重性及Child-Pugh等级,LSM≥10.8 kPa的患者应考虑抗病毒治疗.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the value of transient elastography (TE) for predicting severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods A total of 969 patients with CHB was enrolled and recruited for analysis,which had been received TE scan,including 258 patients of liver biopsy,and 117 patients of gastric endoscopy.Results A total of 35 patients was excluded from analysis due to TE failure or unreliable TE.Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was independently influenced by bilirubin,AST,liver fibrosis and inflammation,ultrasonic score and albumin.TE predicted Child-Pugh C,B/C,liver fibrosis S4,≥S3 and ≥ S2 with respective area under receiver operating characteristics curves (AUROC)0.907 (95% CI 0.886-0.928 ),0.920 ( 95% CI 0.899-0.940 ),0.871 ( 95% CI 0.819-0.923 ),0.852(95%CI0.805-0.899) and 0.807(95% CI0.749-0.865),respectively.While LSM ＜32.2 kPa excluded Child-Pugh C with 99.4% probability,LSM ≥35.3 kPa determined Child-Pugh B/C with positive predictive value (PPV) 0.820.For compensated CHB,cut-offs of LSM 23.3,15.2 and 10.8 kPa diagnosed cirrhosis,liver fibrosis ≥S3 and ≥S2 with positive likelihood ratio nearly 10.0 and PPV 0.692,0.882 and 0.980,respectively; and cut-offs 8.8 kPa,6.6 kPa excluded cirrhosis,liver fibrosis ≥ S3 with negative likelihood ration nearly 0.1 and negative predictive value 0.977 and 0.903,respectively.Correlation coefficient between LSM and grades of esophageal varices was only 0.180,and AUROC for TE predicting EV was of no clinical value.ConclusionTE relatively make accurate prediction in the severity of liver fibrosis and classification of Child-Pugh.Patients with LSM ≥ 10.8 kPa should be considered for receiving antivirus treatment.     

ALT持续正常及持续或间断升高的慢性乙型肝炎患者肝脏硬度值分析

目的目前ALT持续正常(PNALT)以及持续或间断升高(PIEALT)的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝脏硬度值(LSM)的数据十分有限。本研究对该组患者LSM范围及其影响因素进行了探讨,以供临床应用参考。方法将在2012年9月-2013年3月于本院就诊的208例初治CHB患者纳入研究,均接受瞬时弹性扫描仪(FS)检查。PNALT组:在最近1 a随访至少3次,每次间隔2个月以上,ALT水平均正常,入组时ALT正常;PIEALT组进一步分为ALT轻度升高(过去1 a随访中ALT水平至少有1次升高但2×ULN)以及ALT明显升高(过去1 a随访中ALT水平至少有1次升高2×ULN),入组时ALT2×ULN。根据现有的研究结果,当ALT2×ULN时,用于诊断以及排除进展性肝纤维化的标准分别为LSM≥10.6 kPa和LSM7.4 kPa。计量资料分析采用t检验、方差分析和秩和检验,计数资料采用χ2检验,相关因素采用双变量相关分析及Logistic回归分析。结果受试人群平均LSM为(6.2±2.9)kPa。在PNALT患者中,LSM≥7.4 kPa占14.3%(18/126),LSM≥10.6 kPa占2.4%(3/126)。在总体PIEALT患者中,这个比例分别是35.4%(29/82)以及13.4%(11/82)。多元回归分析中,ALT1×ULN(OR=2.63,P=0.037)、男性(OR=5.29,P=0.012)是LSM≥7.4 kPa的独立影响因素;HBV DNA定量5 log10拷贝/ml是LSM≥10.6 kPa唯一的独立影响因素(OR=13.84,P=0.046)。结论在PIEALT和PNALT的CHB患者中,分别有35%及14%的患者不能排除进展性肝纤维化的可能;大约13%的PIEALT患者根据LSM结果可判断为进展性肝纤维化。对于ALT1×ULN、HBV DNA拷贝数的对数值大于5的男性CHB患者,建议对其进行密切随访。     

Impact of mild to moderate elevations of alanine aminotransferase on liver stiffness measurement in chronic hepatitis B patients during antiviral therapy

Aim: The accuracy of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis is affected by elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mild to moderate elevations of ALT on LSM in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during antiviral therapy. Methods: A total of 58 CHB patients with their ALT levels falling into the range of ×2 to ×10 the upper limit of normal (ULN) were recruited. ALT and LSM values were periodically assessed at baseline and 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Results: The median ALT levels were 153.5 (76–544), 50.5 (11–475), 36.5 (9–265) and 30 (12–239) IU/L at baseline and 12, 24 and 48 weeks, respectively. The corresponding median value of LSM was 8.8 (3.2–47.3), 6.15 (3.2–31.2), 5.9 (3.1–29.1) and 5.5 (2.8–21.5) kpa. However, after the ALT levels were normalized by the treatment, the values of LSM did not vary significantly (6.1 [3.0–17.7] vs 5.25 [2.8–21.5] kpa, P = 0.381). Pretreatment fibrosis stages of liver biopsies corresponded with LSM after ALT normalization rather than baseline LSM (F0–1, 12/27 vs 23/25, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The LSM values decreased in parallel with the decline in ALT levels in CHB patients with mild to moderate elevation of ALT. LSM became more accurate when applied to document the liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in CHB patients after the elevated ALT level has been treated to normal level.     

Proficiency of transient elastography compared to liver biopsy for the assessment of fibrosis in HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients

Summary. Transient elastography (TE) is a noninvasive technique to evaluate liver fibrosis. We compared the performance of TE with liver biopsy (LB) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection. Patients prospectively underwent TE and LB. The diagnosis accuracy of TE was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for different stages of fibrosis, and optimal cut‐off values were defined. A sequential algorithm combining TE with biochemical score (Fibrotest®) is proposed. Fifty‐seven patients had both TE and LB (median time: 3 days) and two with proven cirrhosis, only TE. Forty‐six (78%) were under antiretroviral therapy with anti‐HBV drugs in 98%, and 19 (32%) had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). A significant correlation was observed between liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and METAVIR fibrosis stages (P < 0.0001). Patients with elevated ALT tended to have higher LSM than those with normal ALT. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.85 for significant fibrosis (≥F2), 0.92 for advanced fibrosis (≥F3) and 0.96 for cirrhosis. Using a cut‐off of 5.9 kPa for F≥2 and 7.6 kPa for F ≥ 3, the diagnosis accuracy was 83% and 86%, respectively. With an algorithm combining TE and Fibrotest®, 97% of patients were well classified for significant fibrosis. Using this algorithm, the need for LB can be reduced by 67%. In HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients, most of them with normal ALT under antiretroviral treatment including HBV active drugs, TE was proficient in discriminating moderate to severe fibrosis from minimal liver disease.     

High prevalence of significant histology in asymptomatic chronic hepatitis B patients with genotype C and high serum HBV DNA levels

Summary.  Current treatment guidelines suggest that antiviral therapy be considered for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viral load if a biopsy shows significant liver disease despite alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels two times or less than the upper limit of normal (ULN). We evaluated the histological findings in CHB patients with high viral load and persistently normal or slightly elevated serum ALT levels. Between January 2003 and June 2006, 105 consecutive treatment-naive patients with CHB who underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous liver biopsy, had detectable serum HBV DNA (>10⁵ copies/mL) in a direct hybridization assay and normal or slightly elevated serum ALT levels (≤2 × ULN) for at least 12 months were included in a prospective study. Histological assessment was based on the METAVIR scoring system. Significant histology was defined as fibrosis stage ≥F2 or necroinflammation grade ≥A2. Among the 105 CHB patients with high viral load and persistently normal or slightly elevated serum ALT levels for at least 12 months, significant fibrosis (F2–F4 fibrosis) was observed in 63 patients (60.0%) and the actual significant histology was found in 65 patients (61.9%). On multivariate analysis, serum ALT levels and age at which they entered the study were independent factors associated with significant histology. Odds ratios for significant histology increased progressively according to serum ALT levels and age. In conclusion, a large proportion of CHB patients with genotype C, high viral load and ALT ≤2 × ULN had significant liver disease on liver biopsy and should be considered for antiviral therapy.     

声触诊弹性成像检测肝脾硬度诊断慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化效能分析

目的 探讨应用声触诊弹性成像(APE)行肝脏硬度检测(LSM)和脾脏硬度检测(SSM)诊断慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝纤维化的效能.方法 2020年1月～2021年10月我院诊治的CHB患者392例,行肝穿刺组织病理学检查,将≤F1期为非显著性肝纤维化,≥F2期为显著性肝纤维化,F4期为早期肝硬化.使用超声APE计数获...     

Fibrosis evolution in chronic hepatitis B e antigen‐negative patients across a 10‐year interval

The degree of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection influences outcome and management. Existing data describing the long‐term dynamic changes of liver fibrosis are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of liver fibrosis in CHB across a 10‐year period. CHB patients with liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography 10 years ago were recruited for follow‐up LSM. Fibrosis stages were classified according to EASL‐ALEH guidelines. Fibrosis progression/regression was arbitrarily defined as ≥1 fibrosis stage change from baseline. A total of 459 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative patients (224 untreated, 235 treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues [NAs]) were recruited. The mean age at baseline LSM was 41.7 ± 9.0 years (56.2% male). Over 10 years, the proportion of patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis significantly reduced from 16.3% to 5.7% (P < 0.001). Fibrosis progression and regression were observed in 8.7% and 37.5%, respectively. No treatment with NAs (OR 2.259, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.032‐4.945), metabolic syndrome (OR 4.379, 95% CI: 1.128‐16.999) and hepatic steatosis (OR 7.799, 95% CI: 2.271‐26.776) was associated with fibrosis progression. Liver stiffness decline demonstrated positive correlation with the time after HBsAg seroclearance (r = ?0.50, P < 0.001). Median liver stiffness was higher both at baseline (14.0 vs 6 kPa, P < 0.001) and 10 years (9.1 vs 4.9 kPa, P < 0.001) in patients with cirrhosis‐related complications/hepatocellular carcinoma compared with those without. In conclusion, CHB‐related liver fibrosis changed dynamically across 10 years. Metabolic syndrome and hepatic steatosis were associated with fibrosis progression, while antiviral therapy was associated with fibrosis regression. Patients with HBsAg seroclearance demonstrated time‐dependent decline in liver stiffness.     

The usefulness of transient elastography by FibroScan for the evaluation of liver fibrosis

Introduction

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is used for the assessment of liver fibrosis. However, there is limited data in Indian patients.

Aims and Objective

The aim of this study was to find the correlation of LSM, aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI) with fibrosis as assessed by liver biopsy (LB), and predictors of discordance between LB and LSM.

Methods

One hundred and eighty-five consecutive patients who underwent liver biopsy and transient elastography (TE) were enrolled. Fibrosis was graded by two independent pathologists using the METAVIR classification. Area under receiver operating curves (AUROC) was used to evaluate the accuracy of transient elastography and APRI in diagnosing significant fibrosis (F>2) and cirrhosis (F4).

Results

Predominant etiologies were hepatitis B (46 %) and hepatitis C (26 %). LSM was unsuccessful in ten patients (5 %) because of small intercostal space (n?=?3) and obesity (n?=?7). Fibrosis is significantly correlated with LSM (r?=?0.901, p?=?0.001) and APRI (r?=?0.736, p?=?0.001). There was a significant difference in median LSM value in patients with no fibrosis (F0) in comparison to patients having mild fibrosis [mild portal fibrosis (F1)?+?fibrosis with few septa (F2)] (4.5 vs. 7.5 kPa, p?=?0.001) and advanced fibrosis [bridging fibrosis that is spreading and connecting to other areas that contain fibrosis (F3)?+?cirrhosis or advanced scarring of the liver (F4)] (4.5 vs. 19.4 kPa, p?=?0.001). Similarly, there was a significant difference in mean APRI value in patients with F0 in comparison to patients having mild fibrosis (F1?+?F2) (0.55?±?0.31 vs. 1.09?±?0.81, p?=?0.001) and advanced fibrosis (F3?+?F4) (2.3?±?1.3, p?=?0.001). AUROC for diagnosis of significant fibrosis was 0.98 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.963–0.999) for TE and 0.865 (95 % CI 0.810–0.920) for APRI. Optimal TE value was 10.0 kPa for diagnosis of significant fibrosis and 14.7 kPa for cirrhosis with specificity and sensitivity of 89 %, 98 % and 96 %, and 97 %, respectively. On multivariate analysis, total bilirubin and histological activity index (HAI) were identified as an independent predictor of TE inaccuracy.

Conclusion

LSM is a reliable predictor of hepatic fibrosis in Indian patients. LSM is superior to APRI for noninvasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, and high bilirubin (10.5 mg/dL) and Ishak HAI grade (>11) were independent predictors of discordance between LB and LSM.     

Significant changes in liver stiffness measurements in patients with chronic hepatitis B: 3-year follow-up study

Summary. For patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, changes in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) over time are not known. We examined changes longitudinally in a cohort of patients. Four hundred and twenty‐six patients with CHB underwent transient elastography. Patients were followed regularly, and repeat elastography was performed at 3 years. Hepatitis serology, viral load and routine liver biochemistry were monitored. Of the 426 patients, 38 (9%) were hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg)‐positive, 293 (69%) were HBeAg‐negative and 95 (22%) were patients with prior hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance. A total of 110 patients received oral antiviral therapy. There was a significant decline of LSMs at the follow‐up measurement compared to baseline (6.1 vs 7.8 kPa respectively, P = 0.002) in treated patients who had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at baseline and subsequent normalization after 3 years (normal ALT limit being 30 U/L for males and 19 U/L for females). In nontreated patients, only the patients with persistently normal ALT at both time points had significantly lower LSMs at the follow‐up measurement compared to baseline: 4.9 vs 5.3 kPa, respectively, in patients who remained positive for HBsAg (P = 0.005) and 5.1 vs 5.4 kPa, respectively, in patients who had HBsAg seroclearance (P = 0.026). In patients who remained positive for HBsAg, independent factors associated with a significant decline in LSM of ≥1 kPa included antiviral therapy (P = 0.011) and the ALT levels at the follow‐up time point (P = 0.024). Thus, in patients with CHB, a significant decline in LSM after 3 years was observed in treated patients with ALT normalization and in untreated patients who had persistently normal ALT. Antiviral therapy and follow‐up ALT levels were independent significant factors associated with a decline in LSM.     

Non‐invasive assessment of liver fibrosis by stiffness measurement in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Background: The need for new non‐invasive tools to assess liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases has been largely advocated. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using transient elastography (FibroScan^®, Echosens^?) has been shown to be correlated to liver fibrosis in various chronic liver diseases. This study aims to assess its diagnosis accuracy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Patients and methods: We prospectively enrolled 202 patients with chronic hepatitis B in a multicentre study. Patients underwent liver biopsy (LB) and LSM. METAVIR and Ishak liver fibrosis stages were assessed by two pathologists. Results: LSM or LB was considered unreliable in 29 patients. Statistical analysis was conducted in 173 patients. LSM was significantly (P<0.001) correlated with METAVIR (r=0.65) and Ishak fibrosis stage (0.65). The area under receiver‐operating characteristic curves were 0.81 (95% confidence intervals, 0.73–0.86) for F≥2, 0.93 (0.88–0.96) for F≥3 and 0.93 (0.82–0.98) for F=4. Optimal LSM cut‐off values were 7.2 and 11.0 kPa for F≥2 and F=4, respectively, by maximizing the sum D of sensitivity and specificity, and 7.2 and 18.2 kPa by maximizing the diagnosis accuracy. Conclusion: In conclusion, LSM appears to be reliable for detection of significant fibrosis or cirrhosis in HBV patients and cut‐off values are only slightly different from those observed in HCV patients.     

血清IL-34联合超声弹性成像诊断慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化的效能分析

目的 研究应用血清IL-34和肝脏硬度检测(LSM)诊断慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝纤维化的效能.方法 2018年6月～2019年6月我院接受经皮肝穿刺活检的CHB患者100例,采用ELISA法检测血清IL-34和血清HBsAg水平,采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测血清HBV DNA,使用雅培公司生产的全自动生物化学分析仪...     

应用瞬时弹性成像技术联合APRI和AAR指数评估慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化临床价值研究

目的 探讨应用瞬时弹性成像技术联合天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)/血小板指数(APRI)和AST/丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)比值(AAR)评估慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝纤维化的临床价值.方法 2017年5月 ～2018年5月我院收治的CHB患者118例,给予所有患者恩替卡韦治疗观察12个月,治疗前接受肝活检,使用法国...     

瞬时弹性成像技术、APRI及FIB-4对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断价值

目的探讨肝脏瞬时弹性成像技术检测肝脏硬度(LSM)、AST-PLT比值指数(APRI)、基于4因子的肝纤维化指数(FIB-4)对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断价值。方法选取2016年1月1日-2018年12月31日于湖南省儿童医院新生儿外科行Kasai术的胆道闭锁患儿110例。收集患儿术中肝脏病理活检标本及术前1周内血常规、肝功能、瞬时弹性成像检查结果。计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验,非正态分布的计量资料多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H秩和检验。采用MedCalc软件绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),通过ROC曲线评估瞬时弹性成像技术、APRI和FIB-4对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断效能。采用Spearman相关法进行相关性分析。结果ROC曲线分析显示,LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁明显肝纤维化(F≥2)的临界值分别为9.250 kPa、0.680、0.047,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.874[95%可信区间(95%CI):0.778~0.970]、0.636(95%CI:0.362~0.911)、0.622(95%CI:0.363~0.880);LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁进展性肝纤维化(F≥3)的临界值分别为10.75 kPa、0.70、0.05,AUC分别为0.781(95%CI:0.689~0.873)、0.519(95%CI:0.401~0.636)、0.506(95%CI:0.389~0.623);LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁肝硬化(F≥4)的临界值分别为11.85 kPa、0.82、0.09,AUC分别为0.855(95%CI:0.769~0.942)、0.701(95%CI:0.599~0.803)、0.717(95%CI:0.609~0.825)。相关性分析结果显示,LSM值与AST水平呈正相关(r=0.258,P=0.007),与PLT水平呈负相关(r=-0.248,P=0.009)。结论瞬时弹性成像技术对于胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化分级具有较高的准确性,其诊断肝纤维化程度的临床价值高于APRI、FIB-4。     

Comparison of transient elastography and liver biopsy for the assessment of liver fibrosis in HIV/hepatitis C virus‐coinfected patients and correlation with noninvasive serum markers

Summary. Transient elastography (FibroScan^®) is a novel, rapid and noninvasive technique to assess liver fibrosis. Our objective was to compare transient elastography (TE) and other noninvasive serum indexes as alternatives to liver biopsy in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐coinfected patients. The fibrosis stage (METAVIR Score), TE, the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, the Forns fibrosis index, FIB‐4 and HGM‐2 indexes were assessed in 100 patients between January 2007 and January 2008. The diagnostic values were compared by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs). Using TE, the AUROC (95% CI) of liver stiffness was 0.80 (0.72–0.89) when discriminating between F ≤ 1 and F > 2, 0.93 (0.85–1.00) when discriminating between F ≤ 2 and F > 3 and 0.99 (0.97–1.00) when discriminating between F ≤ 3 and F4. For the diagnosis of F ≥ 3, the AUROCs of TE were significantly higher than those obtained with the other four noninvasive indexes. Based on receiver operating characteristic curves, three cutoff values were chosen to identify F ≤ 1 (<7 kPa), F ≥ 3 (≥11 kPa) and F4 (≥14 kPa). Using these best cutoff scores, the negative predictive value and positive predictive value were 81.1% and 70.2% for the diagnosis of F ≤ 1, 96.3% and 60% for the diagnosis of F ≥ 3 and 100% and 57.1% for the diagnosis of F4. Thus, Transient elastography accurately predicted liver fibrosis and outperformed other simple noninvasive indexes in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients. Our data suggest that TE is a helpful tool for guiding therapeutic decisions in clinical practice.     

Applicability and variability of liver stiffness measurements according to probe position

AIM： TO investigate the liver stiffness measurement （LSM） applicability and variability with reference to three probe positions according to the region of liver biopsy.
METHODS： The applicability for LSM was defined as at least 10 valid measurements with a success rate greater than 60% and an interquartile range/median LSM 〈 30%. The LSM variability compared the inter-position concordance and the concordance with FibroTest.
RESULTS： Four hundred and forty two consecutive patients were included. The applicability of the anterior position （81%） was significantly higher than that of the reference （69%） and lower positions （68%）, （both P = 0.0001）. There was a significant difference （0.5 kPa, 95% CI 0.13-0.89; P 〈 0.0001） between mean LSM estimated at the reference position （9.3 kPa） vs the anterior position （8.8 kPa）. Discordance between positions was associated with thoracic fold （P = 0.008）. The discordance rate between the reference position result and FibroTest was higher when the 7.1 kPa cutoff was used to define advanced fibrosis instead of 8.8 kPa （33.6% vs 23.5%, P = 0.03）.
CONCLUSION： The anterior position of the probe should be the first choice for LSM using Fibroscan, as it has a higher applicability without higher variability compared to the usual liver biopsy position.     

Prevalence of fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B: implications for treatment and management

OBJECTIVE:  To document the prevalence and factors associated with severe fibrosis and cirrhosis in a large population of Asian chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.
METHODS:  Transient elastography was performed in unselected CHB patients. Liver stiffness score of <8.1 kPa was used as a cut-off for the presence of severe fibrosis or liver cirrhosis.
RESULTS:  1315 patients were recruited, of which 951 (72%) were treatment-naïve. Of these, 319 (34%) had severe fibrosis, with higher prevalence seen in males compared with females (39% vs 24% respectively, p < 0.01. Severe fibrosis was seen with increasing age from 20% in patients <25 years to 81% in those >65 years. Higher prevalence of severe fibrosis was seen in HBeAg(+) patients compared to HBeAg(−) patients age >45 years (58% vs 43% respectively, p = 0.03), in patients with HBV DNA levels ≥4 log compared with <4 log copies/ml (41% vs 27% respectively, p < 0.01), and in patients with stepwise increase of ALT levels (<0.5 × ULN vs 0.5–1 × ULN vs 1–2 × ULN; 11% vs 30% vs 48% respectively, p < 0.01). After multivariate analysis, gender, age and ALT levels were significant factors associated with severe fibrosis. Patients who received antiviral treatment had lower ALT, stiffness score and prevalence of cirrhosis compared to treatment-naïve patients [25 vs 35 U/L (p < 0.01), 6.2 vs 6.7 kPa (p = 0.031) and 14% vs 22% (p = 0.008) respectively].
CONCLUSION:  The overall prevalence of severe fibrosis in CHB patients was 34% with higher rates seen in older age groups, males, and in patients with higher ALT levels.