Demographic, clinical and laboratory predictors of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis by elastography

Abstract

Background and Aims: Viral hepatitis continues to be the most important cause of liver disease all over the world. In addition, alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases are also encountered with increasing frequency. The prevalence of obesity and diabetes and the increase in alcohol consumption suggest that these factors will be more important in the etiology of chronic liver diseases in the coming years. Liver fibrosis and associated cirrhosis are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in chronic liver disease. In our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between fibrosis and steatosis results obtained by elastography and biochemical and anthropometric parameters. Materials and Method: Fifty patients who applied to Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty Hospital Gastroenterology Clinic and underwent elastography were included in the study. The relationship between the patients' biochemical parameters and body mass index, and elastographic steatosis and fibrosis scores were evaluated. Elastography controlled attenuation parameter values are between S0 and S3 based on the scale of Li; fibrosis/elasticity values were classified between F0-F4 based on Petroff's scale. Results: Of the 50 patients included in the study, 26 were male and 24 were female. The mean age was 49.9 ± 13.4 years. The median value for body mass index was 29.4 kg/m2. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (n = 19, 38%), diabetes mellitus (n = 19, 38%), hyperlipidemia (n = 11, 22%) and hypothyroidism (n = 7, 14%). Fibrosis scores of patients measured by transient elastography; F0-1 was 84% (n = 42), F2 4% (n = 2), F3 4% (n = 2), and F4 8% (n = 4). Elastography controlled attenuation parameter values are S0 61.2% (n = 30), S1 2% (n = 1), S2 10.2% (n = 5), S2-3 6.1% (n = 3), S4 20.4% (n = 10). In those with a degree of steatosis ≥ S2; body mass index and triglyceride levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase values were significantly higher in patients with fibrosis level ≥ F2 (p < 0.05). As a result of the analysis using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the body mass index value predicting the presence of steatosis degree ≥ S2 was found to be 29.6 kg/m2 (73.7% sensitivity, 65.5% specificity, under the curve: 0.808, 95% confidence interval: 0.687-0.028). Conclusion: Elastographic determination of liver steatosis and fibrosis is a useful and effective method in the routine follow-up of patients, in terms of evaluating the clinical status, prognosis and treatment response. The use of non-invasive tests based on biochemical parameters should not be neglected in cases where device-dependent noninvasive tests cannot be applied for economic reasons.