New Fibrosis-Cirrhosis Index for Chronic HCV Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Ahmad Waqar, Ijaz Bushra, Javed Fouzia T, Gull Sana, Kausar Humaira, Sarwar Muhammad T, Asad Sultan, Shahid Imran, Sumrin Aleena, Khaliq Saba, Jahan Shah, Pervaiz Asim, Hassan Sajida
Primary Institution: Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Hypothesis
Can a new fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI) provide better prediction of liver fibrosis stages in chronic HCV patients compared to existing serum indexes?
Conclusion
The fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI) accurately predicted fibrosis stages in HCV infected patients and seems more efficient than frequently used serum indexes.
Supporting Evidence
- The new fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI) showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.818 with histological fibrosis stages.
- FCI had a sensitivity of 81% and a positive predictive value of 82% for predicting fibrosis stage F0-F1.
- At a cutoff value of ≥1.25, FCI had a sensitivity of 86% and a positive predictive value of 100% for predicting cirrhosis.
- Established serum indexes AAR, APRI, FI, and FIB-4 were less effective in predicting fibrosis stages compared to FCI.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a new test called FCI to better understand how sick someone's liver is when they have hepatitis C, which helps avoid painful liver biopsies.
Methodology
The study involved 157 HCV infected patients who underwent liver biopsy, comparing existing serum indexes (AAR, APRI, FI, FIB-4) and developing a new index (FCI) based on ALP, bilirubin, serum albumin, and platelet count.
Limitations
The study was retrospective and may not be generalizable to all populations; further studies are needed to validate the FCI.
Participant Demographics
The study included 157 patients (114 males, 43 females) with a mean age of 38.1 years, ranging from 19 to 58 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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