Liver Stiffness Measurement and Biochemical Markers in Senegalese Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Normal ALT and High Viral Load
2011

Liver Stiffness Measurement and Biochemical Markers in Senegalese Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Sample size: 225 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Mbaye Papa Saliou, Sarr Anna, Sire Jean-Marie, Evra Marie-Louise, Ba Adama, Daveiga Jean, Diallo Aboubakry, Fall Fatou, Chartier Loic, Simon François, Vray Muriel

Primary Institution: Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Principal Hospital, Dakar, Senegal

Hypothesis

Can liver stiffness measurement and biochemical scores accurately diagnose liver fibrosis in Senegalese patients with chronic hepatitis B and normal ALT values?

Conclusion

Non-invasive markers like FibroScan®, FibroTest®, and Fibrometer® were not effective in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and normal ALT.

Supporting Evidence

  • 225 patients were evaluated, with 84% being male.
  • Liver biopsy showed significant fibrosis in 27% of patients with LSM between 7 and 13 kPa.
  • The accuracy of non-invasive markers was low, with AUROCs below 0.70.

Takeaway

Doctors tried to find out if certain tests could tell if people with hepatitis B had liver damage, but the tests didn't work well.

Methodology

Liver stiffness measurement and biochemical markers were performed on 225 patients, with liver biopsy conducted on those with specific stiffness values.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the selection of patients for biopsy based on liver stiffness measurements.

Limitations

The study had a homogeneous population and a low proportion of significant fibrosis, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

84% male, mean age 30 years, primarily HBeAg negative.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% CI for AUROC values ranged from 0.45 to 0.88.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022291

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