Supersonic shear-wave elastography and APRI for the detection and staging of liver disease in pediatric cystic fibrosis

The effect of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor on liver stiffness in children with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVES

Cystic fibrosis hepato-biliary involvement (CFHBI) is a common comorbidity in patients with CF and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The effect of the new and highly potent CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator therapy, elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI), on CFHBI, is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of ETI on liver stiffness in children with CF, as measured using two-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE).

METHODS

Twenty-one children with CF were included in this retrospective study at the CF centre, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Twelve children of our cohort had CFHBI; none had advanced CF liver disease. 2D SWE data from annual assessments, clinical data and liver enzymes were analysed.

RESULTS

We found a significant reduction in liver stiffness after starting treatment with ETI in the total cohort. This reduction in liver stiffness could even be seen in children with CFHBI. Liver enzymes were within the normal range in both pre- and post-ETI therapy in the total cohort. In children with CFHBI, a decline in aspartate aminotransferase activity was observed after ETI was initiated. Lung function and lung clearance index improved significantly after ETI treatment commenced.

CONCLUSION

ETI treatment could positively affect CFHBI in children with CF, as demonstrated by reduced liver stiffness during treatment.

Non-invasive evaluation of steatosis and fibrosis in the liver in adults patients living with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cystic fibrosis hepatobiliary involvement is a heterogeneous and systemic entity. The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of steatosis, by magnetic resonance-proton density fat fraction (MR-PDFF), and liver fibrosis, by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), in a cohort of adults with cystic fibrosis. The secondary objective was to determine the diagnostic yield of widely available non-invasive liver markers for steatosis and fibrosis, and vibration controlled transitional elastography (VCTE) releasing Control Attenuation Parameter (CAP) (dB/m) and stiffness (kPa), with the aim of proposing a diagnostic algorithm.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study including 101 adult patients with cystic fibrosis seen in a multidisciplinary unit. The study encompassed a clinical evaluation, morpho-functional assessment, VCTE, non-invasive liver markers and MR-PDFF and MRE. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using ROC curves and 2 × 2 tables.

RESULTS

MR-PDFF detected hepatic steatosis in 18 of 101 (17.8 %) patients, while MRE detected significant liver fibrosis in 15 of 101 (14.9 %). The VCTE cut-off with the best diagnostic yield, determined by the Youden index, was 222 dB/m for the presence of steatosis (AUC 0.864 (95 % CI 0.768-0.961; p < 0.001) and the VCTE cut-off was 6.65 kPa for liver fibrosis (AUC 0.951(95 % CI 0.81-1; p = 0.053). A screening algorithm for hepatic steatosis was developed using the fatty liver index (FLI) and CAP, with a negative predictive value of 83.3 %. For liver fibrosis, it was outperformed by the Hepamet Fibrosis Score (HFS) and VCTE, with a negative predictive value of 100 %.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis was 17.8 % and 14.9 %, respectively. VCTE alone or in combination with FLI for steatosis or HFS for fibrosis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy. This approach effectively allows for the exclusion of steatosis and fibrosis, thereby reducing the need for MR-PDFF and MRE studies.

Advanced cystic fibrosis liver disease: Endovascular, endoscopic, radiologic, and surgical considerations

Up to 90% of people with CF (pwCF) will have some form of hepatobiliary involvement. This manuscript aims to explore the different endovascular, endoscopic, radiological and surgical procedures available to diagnose and manage the most severe form of CF hepatobiliary involvement (CFHBI) known as advanced cystic fibrosis liver disease (aCFLD), seen in 10% of pwCF. These procedures and interventions include liver biopsy, hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement, gastrostomy tube placement to optimize nutrition, paracentesis, endoscopic variceal control of bleeding and portosystemic shunting before liver transplantation. By utilizing advanced diagnostic or surgical techniques, healthcare professionals of pwCF can more effectively manage patients with CFHBI and aCFLD and potentially improve patient outcomes.

WFUMB Guideline/Guidance on Liver Multiparametric Ultrasound: Part 1. Update to 2018 Guidelines on Liver Ultrasound Elastography

The World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) endorsed the development of this document on multiparametric ultrasound. Part 1 is an update to the WFUMB Liver Elastography Guidelines Update released in 2018 and provides new evidence on the role of ultrasound elastography in chronic liver disease. The recommendations in this update were made and graded using the Oxford classification, including level of evidence (LoE), grade of recommendation (GoR) and proportion of agreement (Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine [OCEBM] 2009). The guidelines are clinically oriented, and the role of shear wave elastography in both fibrosis staging and prognostication in different etiologies of liver disease is discussed, highlighting advantages and limitations. A comprehensive section is devoted to the assessment of portal hypertension, with specific recommendations for the interpretation of liver and spleen stiffness measurements in this setting.

Cystic fibrosis liver disease in the new era of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators

Cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD) is characterised by a wide heterogenity of manifestations and severity. It represents a major cause of morbidity in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF), which will be of increasing relevance as survival increases in the new era of cystic fibrosis care. No medical therapy currently available has evidence to treat or prevent progression of liver disease. Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) modulators may be transformative on pulmonary, nutritional and quality of life, but direct effect on long term liver disease outcomes is not yet established. Drug-associated hepatic adverse effects may be common, and clinician familiarity with drug-monitoring recommendations is essential. Longitudinal studies are required to understand the effect of CFTR modulators on the incidence and natural history of CFLD, including with early treatment initiation, in established advanced liver disease, and post liver transplantation.

Cystic fibrosis screening, evaluation, and management of hepatobiliary disease consensus recommendations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) may cause a spectrum of hepatobiliary complications, including portal hypertension, multilobular cirrhosis, and liver failure. Current guidelines on the detection and monitoring of hepatobiliary complications in CF were published in 1999. The CF Foundation assembled a committee to evaluate research advances and formulate revised guidelines for CF-associated liver disease. A committee of hepatologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, individuals with CF, and the parents of a child with CF devised "population, intervention, comparison, and outcome" questions regarding hepatobiliary disease in CF. PubMed literature searches were performed for each population, intervention, comparison, and outcome question. Recommendations were voted on with 80% agreement required to approve a recommendation. Public comment on initial recommendations was solicited prior to the formulation of final recommendations. Thirty-one population, intervention, comparison, and outcome questions were assembled, 6401 manuscripts were title screened for relevance, with 1053 manuscripts undergoing detailed full-text review. Seven recommendations were approved for screening, 13 for monitoring of existing disease, and 14 for treatment of CF-associated hepatobiliary involvement or advanced liver disease. One recommendation on liver biopsy did not meet the 80% threshold. One recommendation on screening ultrasound was revised and re-voted on. Through a multidisciplinary committee and public engagement, we have assembled updated recommendations and guidance on screening, monitoring, and treatment of CF-associated hepatobiliary involvement and advanced liver disease. While research gaps remain, we anticipate that these recommendations will lead to improvements in CF outcomes through earlier detection and increased evidence-based approaches to monitoring and treatment.

Diagnosis, Management, and Prognosis of Cystic Fibrosis-Related Liver Disease in Children

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multifaceted disorder predominantly investigated for its pulmonary manifestations, yet patients with CF also exhibit a spectrum of extrapulmonary manifestations, notably those involving the hepatobiliary system. The latter constitutes the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with CF. Cystic fibrosis-related liver disease (CFLD), with an escalating prevalence, manifests diverse clinical presentations ranging from hepatomegaly to cirrhosis and hepatopulmonary syndrome. Consequently, early detection and appropriate management are imperative for sustaining the health and influencing the quality of life of CF patients afflicted with CFLD. This review aims to consolidate existing knowledge by providing a comprehensive overview of hepatobiliary manifestations associated with CF. It delineates the clinical hepatobiliary manifestations, diagnostic methodologies, incorporating minimally invasive markers, and therapeutic approaches, encompassing the impact of novel CFTR modulators on CFLD. Given the exigency of early diagnosis and the intricate management of CFLD, a multidisciplinary team approach is essential to optimize care and enhance the quality of life for this subset of patients. In conclusion, recognizing CF as more than solely a pulmonary ailment, the authors underscore the imperative for further clinical investigations to establish a more robust evidence base for CFLD management within the continuum of this chronic disease.

Liver magnetic resonance elastography and fat fraction in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis versus healthy children

BACKGROUND

Liver involvement is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). While liver biopsy is the gold standard for demonstrating involvement, its invasiveness prompts a search for noninvasive alternatives.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate liver involvement in pediatric patients with CF (versus healthy controls) using magnetic resonance (MR) elastography/spectroscopy and to correlate the imaging findings with clinical/laboratory characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a single-center, prospective cross-sectional study conducted between April 2020 and March 2022 in patients with CF versus healthy controls. Patients with CF were divided into two subgroups: those with CF-related liver disease and those without. MR images were acquired on a 1.5-tesla machine. Kilopascal (kPa) values were derived from processing MR elastography images. MR spectroscopy was used to measure liver fat fraction, as an indication of hepatosteatosis. Groups were compared using either the Student's t test or the Mann‒Whitney U test. The chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare qualitative variables.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients with CF (12 ± 3.3 years, 32 boys) and 24 healthy volunteers (11.1 ± 2.4 years, 15 boys) were included in the study. Median liver stiffness (P=0.003) and fat fraction (P=0.03) were higher in the CF patients than in the controls. Median liver stiffness values were higher in CF patients with CF-related liver disease than in those without CF-related liver disease (P=0.002). Liver stiffness values of CF patients with high alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high gamma-glutamyl transferase, and thrombocytopenia were found to be higher than those without (P=0.004, P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). Only the high ALT group showed a high fat fraction (P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CF had higher liver stiffness than the control group, and patients with CF-related liver disease had higher liver stiffness than both the CF patients without CF-related liver disease and the control group. Patients with CF had a higher fat fraction than the control group. Noninvasive assessment of liver involvement using MR elastography/spectroscopy can support the diagnosis of CF-related liver disease and the follow-up of patients with CF.

Towards a Standardized Classification of the Hepatobiliary Manifestations in Cystic Fibrosis (CFHBI): A Joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN Position Paper

The broad spectrum of hepatobiliary involvement in cystic fibrosis (CF) has been commonly referred to as cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD). However, differences in the definitions of CFLD have led to variations in reported prevalence, incidence rates, and standardized recommendations for diagnosis and therapies. Harmonizing the description of the spectrum of hepatobiliary involvement in all people with CF (pwCF) is deemed essential for providing a reliable account of the natural history, which in turn supports the development of meaningful clinical outcomes in patient care and research. Recognizing this necessity, The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) commissioned and tasked a committee to develop and propose a systematic classification of the CF hepatobiliary manifestations to increase uniformity, accuracy, and comparability for clinical, registry, and research purposes. This report describes the committee's combined expert position statement on hepatobiliary involvement in CF, which has been endorsed by NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN. We recommend using CFHBI (Cystic Fibrosis Hepato-Biliary Involvement) as the updated term to describe and classify all hepatobiliary manifestations in all pwCF. CFHBI encompasses the current extensive spectrum of phenotypical, clinical, or diagnostic expressions of liver involvement observed in pwCF. We present a schematic categorization of CFHBI, which may also be used to track and classify the changes and development of CFHBI in pwCF over time. The proposed classification for CFHBI is based on expert consensus and has not been validated for clinical practice and research purposes. Achieving validation should be an important aim for future research.

Prospective study of quantitative liver MRI in cystic fibrosis: feasibility and comparison to PUSH cohort ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Pediatric radiologists can identify a liver ultrasound (US) pattern predictive of progression to advanced liver disease. However, reliably discriminating these US patterns remains difficult. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide an objective measure of liver disease in cystic fibrosis (CF).

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine if quantitative MRI, including MR elastography, is feasible in children with CF and to determine how quantitative MRI-derived metrics compared to a research US.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, multi-institutional trial was performed evaluating CF participants who underwent a standardized MRI. At central review, liver stiffness, fat fraction, liver volume, and spleen volume were obtained. Participants whose MRI was performed within 1 year of US were classified by US pattern as normal, homogeneous hyperechoic, heterogeneous, or nodular. Each MRI measure was compared among US grade groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

Ninety-three participants (51 females [54.8%]; mean 15.6 years [range 8.1-21.7 years]) underwent MRI. MR elastography was feasible in 87 participants (93.5%). Fifty-eight participants had an US within 1 year of MRI. In these participants, a nodular liver had significantly higher stiffness (P<0.01) than normal or homogeneous hyperechoic livers. Participants with a homogeneous hyperechoic liver had a higher fat fraction (P<0.005) than others.

CONCLUSION

MR elastography is feasible in children with CF. Participants with a nodular pattern had higher liver stiffness supporting the US determination of advanced liver disease. Participants with a homogeneous hyperechoic pattern had higher fat fractions supporting the diagnosis of steatosis.

Risk factors for more rapid progression of severe liver fibrosis in children with cystic fibrosis-related liver disease: A multi-center study validated by liver biopsy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Early identification of risk factors for the development of severe fibrosis in children with cystic fibrosis-related liver disease (CFLD) is crucial as promising therapies emerge.

METHODS

This multi-center cohort study of children with a priori defined CFLD from 1999 to 2016, was designed to evaluate the clinical utility of CF-specific characteristics and liver biomarkers assessed years prior to liver biopsy-proven CFLD to predict risk of developing severe fibrosis (F3-4) over time. Fibrosis was staged by Metavir classification.

RESULTS

The overall study cohort of 42 patients (F0-2 (n = 22) and F3-4 (n = 20)) was 57% male (n = 24) with median age of 7.6 years at baseline visit versus 10.3 years at biopsy. Median FEV₁ % predicted was lower in F3-4 participants at baseline versus F0-2 (59% vs. 85%; p = .002), while baseline FIB-4, APRI and GGT were higher in F3-4. Median splits for FIB-4 (≥.13), APRI (≥.36), GPR (≥.09), GGT (≥25.5), and FEV₁ % (<64%) were associated with more rapid progression to F3-4 (p < .01 for all). Using a combination of change/year in FIB-4, APRI, and GPR to predict F3-4, the AUROC was .81 (95% CI, .66, .96; p < .0001). For up to 5.8 years prior, thresholds for GPR were met 6.5-fold more rapidly, and those for APRI and FIB-4 were met 2.5-fold more rapidly, in those who progressed to F3-4 than those that did not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests mild-moderate pulmonary dysfunction and higher liver biomarker indices at baseline may be associated with faster progression of CFLD.

The Usefulness of Combining Noninvasive Methods for Early Identification and Potential Prevention of Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Liver Disease

Cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Liver damage in the course of CF ranges from biochemical abnormalities to full-blown cirrhosis and may involve complicated processes like inflammation, fibrogenesis, remodeling, apoptosis, and cholestasis. Despite robust research in the field of CF, its complex pathogenesis is not fully understood. Because of the unknown pathogenesis, it is difficult to develop a highly sensitive and specific test or technology that is standardized, acceptable, and available at most pediatric institutions. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) recommends annual blood tests to screen for liver pathology, which often fails to identify early-onset liver disease. In this review article, we present the use of different liver indices and imaging modalities that can help identify liver disease at the onset and may help in its prevention. Although the disease is commonly diagnosed in the pediatric population, due to increased life expectancy, there is increasing evidence of liver disease in adults too. We believe that the tools we present in this review will help in the prevention of liver disease and thereby reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.

Conventional and artificial intelligence-based imaging for biomarker discovery in chronic liver disease

Chronic liver diseases, resulting from chronic injuries of various causes, lead to cirrhosis with life-threatening complications including liver failure, portal hypertension, hepatocellular carcinoma. A key unmet medical need is robust non-invasive biomarkers to predict patient outcome, stratify patients for risk of disease progression and monitor response to emerging therapies. Quantitative imaging biomarkers have already been developed, for instance, liver elastography for staging fibrosis or proton density fat fraction on magnetic resonance imaging for liver steatosis. Yet, major improvements, in the field of image acquisition and analysis, are still required to be able to accurately characterize the liver parenchyma, monitor its changes and predict any pejorative evolution across disease progression. Artificial intelligence has the potential to augment the exploitation of massive multi-parametric data to extract valuable information and achieve precision medicine. Machine learning algorithms have been developed to assess non-invasively certain histological characteristics of chronic liver diseases, including fibrosis and steatosis. Although still at an early stage of development, artificial intelligence-based imaging biomarkers provide novel opportunities to predict the risk of progression from early-stage chronic liver diseases toward cirrhosis-related complications, with the ultimate perspective of precision medicine. This review provides an overview of emerging quantitative imaging techniques and the application of artificial intelligence for biomarker discovery in chronic liver disease.

Understanding Cystic Fibrosis Comorbidities and Their Impact on Nutritional Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic, multisystem disease with multiple comorbidities that can significantly affect nutrition and quality of life. Maintaining nutritional adequacy can be challenging in people with cystic fibrosis and has been directly associated with suboptimal clinical outcomes. Comorbidities of CF can result in significantly decreased nutritional intake and intestinal absorption, as well as increased metabolic demands. It is crucial to utilize a multidisciplinary team with expertise in CF to optimize growth and nutrition, where patients with CF and their loved ones are placed in the center of the care model. Additionally, with the advent of highly effective modulators (HEMs), CF providers have begun to identify previously unrecognized nutritional issues, such as obesity. Here, we will review and summarize commonly encountered comorbidities and their nutritional impact on this unique population.

Cystic fibrosis and noninvasive liver fibrosis assessment methods in children

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive assessments of liver fibrosis are currently used to evaluate cystic fibrosis (CF)-related liver disease. However, there is scarce data regarding their repeatability and reproducibility, especially in children with CF. The present study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of transient elastography (TE) (FibroScan®) and point shear-wave elastography using virtual touch quantification (pSWE VTQ) in children with CF.

METHODS

TE and pSWE VTQ were performed in 56 children with CF by two different operators. Analysis of repeatability and reproducibility was available in 33 patients for TE and 46 patients for pSWE VTQ. Intra- and interobserver agreement were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and their 95% confidence interval (CI), and Bland and Altman graphs.

RESULTS

For TE, ICC was 0.91 (0.83-0.95) for intraobserver agreement and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86-0.96) for interobserver agreement. For pSWE VTQ, ICC was 0.83 (0.72-0.90) for intraobserver agreement and 0.67 (0.48-0.80) for interobserver agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

Both technics can be proposed in the follow-up of patients, according to their availability in CF centers.

IMPACT

This study shows that TE and pSWE VTQ are reliable methods to evaluate liver fibrosis in children with CF. This study shows for the first time that TE and pSWE VTQ are both repeatable and reproducible in children with CF. These data indicate that both TE and pSWE VTQ can be proposed for the follow-up of patients with CF, according to their availability in each CF center.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio as a biomarker of liver disease and hepatic fibrosis severity in paediatric Cystic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF)-associated liver disease (CFLD) causes significant morbidity and mortality in children with CF. Diagnosis of liver disease prior to development of cirrhosis or portal hypertension (PHT) is challenging. While imaging modalities using Elastography show great promise they are still not widely available to all clinicians. This study investigated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR) as a non-invasive biomarker to detect liver disease and stage fibrosis severity in children with CF.

METHODS

237 children were enroled including 76 with CFLD and 161 with CF and no detectable liver disease (CFnoLD). CFLD was diagnosed using standard clinical, biochemical and imaging practice guidelines. Hepatic fibrosis was staged on liver biopsies available from 54 children with CFLD. Serum liver biochemistry was used to calculate GPR (median, [IQR]) and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis assessed utility to detect liver disease and stage fibrosis severity.

RESULTS

GPR was significantly increased in CFLD versus CFnoLD (0.33 [0.19-0.96] vs. 0.15 [0.11-0.21], P<0.0001). GPR demonstrated good diagnostic utility for detecting CFLD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 (95% confidence Interval [CI] [0.75-0.87]; P<0.0001), with sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 73%, using a cut-off of 0.20. GPR increased with increasing hepatic fibrosis stage. GPR discriminated both moderate-advanced (F2-F4) fibrosis vs. F0-F1 (AUC=0.82; 95%CI [0.71-0.94]; P<0.0001) and advanced (F3-F4) fibrosis vs. F0-F2 (AUC=0.77; 95%CI [0.64-0.90]; P = 0.004), with a cut-off 0.32 and 0.61, respectively. An elevated GPR of >0.84 was predictive of PHT at diagnosis of CFLD (AUC=0.81; 95%CI [0.67-0.95]; P = 0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

GPR demonstrates good diagnostic utility for assessing the presence of liver disease, PHT and hepatic fibrosis severity in children with CF. These findings will aid in better identification of patients at risk for CF-related liver involvement and the potential for more targeted and timely follow-up and treatment.

Emerging clinical perspectives in cystic fibrosis liver disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Liver disease (CFLD) as a complication of cystic fibrosis is recognized as a more severe disease phenotype in both children and adults. We review recent advances in understanding the disease mechanism and consider the implications of new strategies for the diagnosis and management of cystic fibrosis in those with evidence of clinically significant liver disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence suggests that the prevalence of CFLD has not declined with the introduction of newborn screening. Furthermore, children with CFLD, who have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis following newborn screening continue to have a much higher mortality rate compared with those with no liver disease. There is further data suggesting noncirrhotic obliterative portal venopathy as the predominant pathological mechanism in the majority of children and young adults receiving a liver transplantation. Little progress has been made in developing an accurate noninvasive test for early diagnosis or monitoring disease progression in CFLD. The benefit of new modulator therapies is not well understood in those with established CFLD, whereas the risk of hepatotoxicity as a complication of treatment must be carefully monitored.

SUMMARY

Better understanding of the pathophysiology of CFLD would allow a standardized approach to diagnosis, with the potential to improve outcomes for those with CFLD.

Non-invasive tools for detection of liver disease in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multi-organ genetic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene which encodes the CFTR protein. CF-associated liver disease (CFLD) is a common complication; diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory findings and abdominal imaging. However, non-invasive diagnostic approaches are needed to early detect CFLD, its progression and severity. Recent studies demonstrate a possible role of point shear wave elastography (p-SWE) with liver stiffness measurement (LSM) as a tool for CFLD diagnosis also in children. This non-invasive technique measures liver stiffness to assess liver fibrosis and is suggested to be less operator-dependent compared to ultrasonography. Aim of our prospective observational study is to investigate the role of p-SWE with LSM for CFLD diagnosis in children and adolescents with CF and to compare this finding with aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR) indices.

METHODS

Fifty-nine children with CF, who had routinely undergone abdominal imaging, were consecutively enrolled. Laboratory findings and clinical data were recorded, as abdominal ultrasound and shear wave elastography at baseline. The cases were divided into two groups based on collected data and classified as CFLD and CFnoLD (without liver disease) according to Debray criteria. APRI, FIB-4 and GPR fibrosis indices were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-four/59 (40.7%) were defined as CFLD. LSM test is superior to the APRI (P<0.001), the FIB-4 test (P=0.001) and the GPR test for early detection of liver fibrosis. LSM had an area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve =0.818 (95% CI: 0.702-0.934) compared with APRI (0.571, 95% CI: 0.421-0.722), FIB-4 (0.656, 95% CI: 0.511-0.801) and GPR (0.632, 95% CI: 0.485-0.779). At a cut-off of ≥6.2 LSM show a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 88.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

LSM by transient p-SWE is a non-invasive, highly accessible, reliable, and reproducible test that can be used to assess early detection of liver fibrosis and its severity in children and adolescents with CF, limiting the use of liver biopsy. These preliminary observations point to the need of larger study population to confirm our data.

Year in review 2020: Nutrition and gastrointestinal disease in cystic fibrosis

The multisystemic manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) involve all parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, including the pancreas, intestine, and liver. As providers who care for people with CF, knowledge of the manifestations, treatment, and research related to nutrition and GI disease are important. This review is the last installment of the CF year in review 2020 series, focusing on nutritional, GI, and hepatobiliary articles from Pediatric Pulmonology and other journals of particular interest to clinicians.

Non-invasive Diagnostic Tests in Cystic Fibrosis-Related Liver Disease: A Diagnostic Test Accuracy Network Meta-Analysis

Background and Aims: Cystic fibrosis-related liver disease (CFLD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). Several non-invasive diagnostic methods have been proposed as screening tools for CFLD. Our aim was to rank all available non-invasive modalities for diagnostic performance.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in five medical databases to find studies which reported on any single or composite non-invasive diagnostic test (as an index test) compared to the Debray, the EuroCare or the Colombo criteria (as a reference standard). Ranking was carried out with a Bayesian diagnostic test accuracy network meta-analysis based on superiority indices, calculated for pooled sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The study was registered under CRD42020155846 in PROSPERO.

Results: Fifteen studies with 15 index tests and a combination of them were included. The New criteria proposed by Koh et al. – which represent a composite diagnostic definition for CFLD including liver biochemistry, ultrasonography, transient elastography and fibrosis markers—had the best performance for detecting CFLD (Se:94%[CI:58–100], Sp:72%[CI:52–84]); while transient elastography (Se:65%[CI:56–74], Sp:88%[CI:84–91]) and a combination of it with a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 measurement (Se:78%[CI:30–100], Sp:64%[CI:18–95%]) proved to be the second and third best options, respectively. In the imaging techniques subgroup, transient elastography (Se:66%[CI:57–72], Sp:88%[CI:85–91%]), acoustic radiation force impulse in the right lobe (Se:54%[CI:33–74], Sp:88%[CI:66–96]) and that in the left lobe (Se:55%[CI:23–81], Sp:82%[CI:50–95]) were ranked the highest. Comparing biochemical markers/fibrosis indices, the measurement of the Forns index (Se:72%[CI:25–99], Sp:63%[CI:16–94]), the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (Se:55%[CI:41–68], Sp:83%[CI:66–89]) and alkaline phosphatase (Se:63%[CI:18–93], Sp:64%[CI:19–95]) were ranked the highest.

Conclusion: The New criteria show the best diagnostic performance. In clinical practice, transient elastography seems to be a simple, cheap and non-invasive tool, outperforming imaging, biochemical and fibrosis tests for detecting CFLD. Further studies are needed to validate our findings.

Utility of Serum Biomarker Indices for Staging of Hepatic Fibrosis Before and After Venesection in Patients With Hemochromatosis Caused by Variants in HFE

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Hemochromatosis that is associated with variants in the homeostatic iron regulator gene (HFE) is characterized by intestinal absorption of iron and excessive body and hepatic iron stores; it can lead to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Fibrosis has been staged by analysis of liver biopsies, but non-invasive staging methods are available. We evaluated the ability of aspartate aminotransferase:platelet ratio index (APRI), the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and gamma-glutamyl transferase:platelet ratio (GPR) to assess hepatic fibrosis staging in subjects with HFE-associated hemochromatosis, using liver biopsy-staged fibrosis as the reference standard.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of 181 subjects with HFE-associated hemochromatosis and hepatic fibrosis staged by biopsy analysis and available serum samples. We calculated APRI, FIB-4, and GPR at diagnosis for all 181 subjects and following venesection therapy in 64 of these subjects (7 subjects had follow-up biopsy analysis). We used area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis to assess the relationships between APRI score, FIB-4 score, and GPR and advanced (F3-F4) fibrosis and to select cut-off values.

RESULTS

Hepatic fibrosis stage correlated with APRI score (r = 0.54; P < .0001), FIB-4 score (r = 0.35; P < .0001), and GPR (r = 0.36, P < .0001). An APRI score above 0.44 identified patients with advanced fibrosis with an AUROC of 0.88, 79.4% sensitivity, 79.4% specificity, and 81% accuracy. A FIB-4 score above 1.1 identified patients with advanced fibrosis with an AUROC of 0.86, 80% sensitivity, 80.3% specificity, and 81% accuracy. A GPR above 0.27 identified patients with advanced fibrosis with an AUROC of 0.76, 67.7% sensitivity, 70.3% specificity, and 69% accuracy. APRI score was significantly more accurate than GPR (P = .05) in detecting advanced fibrosis; there was no difference between APRI and FIB-4. Venesection treatment was associated with significant reductions in APRI (P < .0001) and GPR (P < .001), paralleling fibrosis regression observed in available liver biopsies. Post-venesection APRI identified 87% of subjects with advanced fibrosis that decreased to levels that indicate stage F1-F2 fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective study of 181 subjects with HFE-associated hemochromatosis, we found that APRI and FIB-4 scores identified patients with advanced hepatic fibrosis with 81% accuracy. APRI scores might also be used to monitor fibrosis regression following venesection.

Elastography for Pediatric Chronic Liver Disease: A Review and Expert Opinion

In adults with chronic liver diseases, ultrasound and magnetic resonance shear wave elastography (SWE) can replace liver biopsy in several clinical scenarios. Several guidelines on the use of ultrasound SWE for the adult population have been published. However, the number of publications in the pediatric population is limited, and available guidelines on SWE do not specifically address pediatric chronic liver diseases. In this article, we review the literature on the use of SWE for pediatric chronic liver diseases and provide expert opinion on how to use SWE, both ultrasound and magnetic resonance techniques, in the pediatric population.

Extended Screening for Cystic Fibrosis-related Liver Disease Including Elastography in Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVES

Advances in treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) have increased survival and thereby prevalence of patients with liver disease, making chronic liver disease one of the major complications of CF. We describe the prevalence of liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and liver decompensation by extended screening for cystic fibrosis-related liver disease (CFLD) including ultrasound, elastography, and an extended panel of biochemical markers.

METHODS

A cross sectional study of CFLD in all pediatric CF patients (1-18 years) from the Copenhagen CF Center. Screening for liver disease included physical examination, biochemical analysis, Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (FibroScan), conventional ultrasound, and Real-Time Shear Wave elastography (SWE). Patients were scored according to Williams ultrasound scoring scale (WUSS) within 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 84 consecutive patients (male sex 46.4%, median age 10.4 years) were included. Eight patients (9.5%) had both ≥2 abnormal results of sonographic methods and ≥2 abnormal biochemical results and were in this study categorized as having manifest CFLD. Manifest CFLD patients were significantly older and had a higher mean value of APRI, but no differences in gender, z-height, z-weight, z-BMI, FEV1%, or mean value of bilirubin or albumin were found.

CONCLUSIONS

In total, 8 patients (9.5%) in this pediatric CF population were categorized as having CFLD according to both biochemical and sonographic tests. Consistency was found among the results of FibroScan and SWE. We suggest WUSS and either FibroScan or SWE, combined with GGT as diagnostic markers for CFLD.