Transient elastography and biomarkers for liver fibrosis assessment and follow-up of inactive hepatitis B carriers

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Feb;33(4):455-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04547.x.

Abstract

Background: Non invasive methods for fibrosis evaluation remain to be validated longitudinally in hepatitis B.

Aim: To evaluate longitudinally transient elastography (TE) and biomarkers for liver fibrosis assessment and follow-up of hepatitis B virus (HBV) inactive carriers.

Methods: Three hundred and twenty-nine consecutive HBeAg-negative HBV patients (201 inactive carriers) who underwent TE, Fibrotest and aspartate to platelet ratio index (APRI) the same day were studied.

Results: TE (median 4.8 vs. 6.8 kPa, P < 0.0001), Fibrotest (0.16 vs. 0.35, P < 0.0001) and APRI values (0.28 vs. 0.43, P < 0.0001) were significantly lower in inactive carriers than in the remaining patients whereas they did not differ among inactive carriers according to HBV DNA levels. In 82 inactive carriers with repeated examinations, although differences were observed among individual patients, TE values did not differ significantly over time (median intra-patient changes at end of follow-up relative to baseline: -0.2 kPa, P = 0.12). Conversely, significant fluctuations were observed for Fibrotest (+0.03, P = 0.012) and APRI (-0.01, P < 0.05). Eleven inactive carriers (5.5%) had initial elevated TE values (>7.2 kPa) confirmed during follow-up in two with significant fibrosis (F2 and F3) on liver biopsy.

Conclusion: Non-invasive tools, particularly TE, could be useful, in addition to HBV DNA and transaminase levels, for follow-up of HBV inactive carriers as well as better selection of patients who require a liver biopsy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Carrier State
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Hepatitis B / diagnostic imaging
  • Hepatitis B virus
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase