Fibroscan and non-invasive indices for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an independent nosological entity, is cha­racterized by fat accumulation in hepatocytes not associated with alcohol abuse, and includes a wide spectrum of disorders: from fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis to fibrosis with possible outcome in liver cirrhosis. Given the prevalence of this disease, the deterioration of the quality of life of patients, increased mortality from complications, there is a growing interest in developing techniques for accurate and timely assessment of fibrosis. Objective: comparative characteristics of the results of transient elastometry (FibroScan) and non-invasive laboratory indices in the determination of fibrotic transformation of the liver in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Materials and methods. The study included patients with NAFLD, who underwent diagnostics and treatment in the department of liver and pancreas of the SI “Institute of Gastroenterology of the NAMS of Ukraine”. Results. We have examined 42 patients with NAFLD, among which 18 (45 %) men and 24 (55 %) women. All patients underwent calculation of non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis: aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, the measurement of liver stiffness using the FibroScan apparatus. Conclusions. Our results are consistent with most studies indicating that the most effective non-invasive index is APRI. The combination of transient elasto­graphy (FibroScan) and the APRI index may provide a more effective approach to the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Keywords

• non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• liver fibrosis
• non-invasive diagnostic methods
• transient elastography