1
|
Lavian JD, Thornton LM, Zybulewski A, Kim E, Nowakowski SF, Ranade M, Patel RS, Lookstein RA, Fischman A, Bishay V. Safety of percutaneous versus transjugular liver biopsy: A propensity score matched analysis. Eur J Radiol 2020; 133:109399. [PMID: 33202374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2020.109399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study sought to identify the complication, mortality, and readmission rates of patients undergoing either percutaneous (PCLB) or transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) when propensity matched for demographics and hepatic comorbidities. METHODS A retrospective review of New York's Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System ICD9 coded database from the years 2009-2013 was conducted. Patients over the age of 18 undergoing either PCLB or TJLB were included. Patients with hepatic neoplasm or metastasis were excluded. 2:1 PCLB:TJLB propensity match for age, race, payment, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia/purpura, hypercoagulability, ascites, acute liver failure, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and bone marrow disease was conducted. Univariate analysis compared demographics, complications, readmissions, and mortality. RESULTS 1467 patients met inclusion criteria (PCLB = 978, TJLB = 489). Propensity match was successful in that there were no significant differences in demographics or hepatic comorbidities. TJLB had significantly lower rates of hematoma (0.20 % vs 1.20 %, p = 0.049) and higher rates of cardiac complications (0.40 % vs 0.00 %, p = 0.045). Other complication, readmission, and mortality rates did not differ significantly. Logistic regression found no significant predictors of readmission within 7 days or any complication within 5 days. CONCLUSION This retrospective, multi-center database review of adult patients undergoing PCLB or TJLB propensity matched for demographics and hepatic comorbidities found that TJLB patients had a significantly higher rate of cardiac complications while PCLB patients had a significantly higher rate of hematoma. These findings support prior literature suggesting a trend towards safety of TJLB compared to PCLB in patients with hemostatic disorders and/or advanced liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J D Lavian
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, State University of New York ‑ Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - L M Thornton
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - A Zybulewski
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - E Kim
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - S F Nowakowski
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - M Ranade
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - R S Patel
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - R A Lookstein
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - A Fischman
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - V Bishay
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Johnson KD, Laoveeravat P, Yee EU, Perisetti A, Thandassery RB, Tharian B. Endoscopic ultrasound guided liver biopsy: Recent evidence. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2020; 12:83-97. [PMID: 32218888 PMCID: PMC7085945 DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v12.i3.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver biopsy (LB) is an essential tool in diagnosing, evaluating and managing various diseases of the liver. As such, histopathological results are critical as they establish or aid in diagnosis, provide information on prognosis, and guide the appropriate selection of medical therapy for patients. Indications for LB include evaluation of persistent elevation of liver chemistries of unclear etiology, diagnosis of chronic liver diseases such as Wilson's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis, work up of fever of unknown origin, amyloidosis and more. Traditionally, methods of acquiring liver tissue have included percutaneous LB (PCLB), transjugular LB (TJLB) or biopsy taken surgically via laparotomy or laparoscopy. However, traditional methods of LB may be inferior to newer methods. Additionally, PCLB and TJLB carry higher risks of adverse events and complications. More recently, endoscopic ultrasound guided LB (EUS-LB) has evolved as an alternative method of tissue sampling that has proven to be safe and effective, with limited adverse events. Compared to PC and TJ routes, EUS-LB may also have a greater diagnostic yield of tissue, be superior for a targeted approach of focal lesions, provide higher quality images and allow for greater patient comfort. These advantages have contributed to the increased use of EUS-LB as a technique for obtaining liver tissue. Herein, we provide a review of the recent evidence of EUS-LB for liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kemmian D Johnson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Passisd Laoveeravat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States
| | - Eric U Yee
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Abhilash Perisetti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Ragesh Babu Thandassery
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Benjamin Tharian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for the evaluation of acute and chronic liver disorders. Transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) was described by Dotter in 1964 and clinically performed for the first time by Hanafee in 1967. TJLB consists of obtaining liver tissue through a rigid cannula introduced into one of the hepatic veins, typically using jugular venous access. The quality of the TJLB specimens has improved so much that the samples obtained by this method are comparable with those obtained with the percutaneous technique. TJLB is indicated for patients with coagulopathy, ascites, peliosis hepatis, morbid obesity, liver transplant, or in patients undergoing a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure. The technical success rate for a TJLB procedure ranges from 87 to 97%. Sample fragmentation has been reported in 14 to 25% of the TJLB samples. The complication rates are low and range between 1.3% and 6.5%. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the fundamental aspects of the TJLB procedure, including technique, indications, contraindications, results, and complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Behrens
- Section of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Behrens G, Ferral H, Giusto D, Patel J, Van Thiel DH. Transjugular liver biopsy: comparison of sample adequacy with the use of two automated needle systems. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2010; 22:341-5. [PMID: 21194967 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2010.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2010] [Revised: 09/12/2010] [Accepted: 10/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the adequacy of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) specimens with use of the 18-gauge Quick-Core and Flexcore needles. MATERIALS AND METHODS The records of 233 patients who underwent a TJLB procedure from January 2005 to December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Tissue samples from a total of 194 procedures were available for review; 117 TJLB procedures were performed with a Quick-Core needle and 77 were performed with a Flexcore needle. A single pathologist reviewed all the liver biopsy specimens in a blinded fashion. The χ(2), Fisher exact, and Student t tests were used to analyze differences between groups. RESULTS The TJLB procedure was technically successful in 232 of 233 cases (99.6%). Histologic diagnosis was possible in 96% of cases. Sample fragmentation rates were 24.9% with the Quick-Core needle and 14.3% with the Flexcore needle (P = .1). The mean numbers of complete portal tracts (CPTs) per submitted tissue per procedure were 10.0 ± 4.6 for the Quick-Core needle and 12.2 ± 6.1 for the Flexcore needle (P = .003). The mean numbers of CPTs per liver sample were 2.63 ± 1.8 for the Quick-Core needle and 3.28 ± 3.3 for the Flexcore needle (P = .00004). Complications were more common in patients with multiple comorbidities such as renal failure and coagulopathy and those who had received a liver transplant. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the 18-gauge Flexcore TJLB system provided better liver biopsy specimens compared with the 18-gauge Quick-Core needle system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Behrens
- Section of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 W Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
HERMANS C, ALTISENT C, BATOROVA A, CHAMBOST H, DE MOERLOOSE P, KARAFOULIDOU A, KLAMROTH R, RICHARDS M, WHITE B, DOLAN G. Replacement therapy for invasive procedures in patients with haemophilia: literature review, European survey and recommendations. Haemophilia 2009; 15:639-58. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2008.01950.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
6
|
Esposito AA, Nicolini A, Meregaglia D, Sangiovanni A, Biondetti P. Role of transjugular liver biopsy in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with severe liver disease. Radiol Med 2008; 113:1008-17. [DOI: 10.1007/s11547-008-0311-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2007] [Accepted: 11/30/2007] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
7
|
Schwarz KB, Zellos A, Stamato L, Boitnott J, Perlman E, Chong S, Casella JF. Percutaneous liver biopsy in hemophiliac children with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2008; 46:423-8. [PMID: 18367956 DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31815c1e43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a protocol for safe performance of percutaneous liver biopsies in children with deficiency of factor VIII (n = 12) or IX (n = 2) and chronic hepatitis C virus infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS Liver biopsies were performed after administration of factor VIII or IX, before and 24 weeks after cessation of antiviral therapy. To define the optimal means of providing replacement therapy, 10 children were enrolled in a randomized crossover design study of bolus versus continuous factor VIII for performance of the liver biopsy. For the crossover study, all of the patients were given a loading dose of 50 +/- 5 IU recombinant factor (rF)VIII/kg; a minimum of factor VIII activity of > or = 80% 30 to 60 minutes following factor VIII infusion was required for liver biopsy. For the bolus protocol, rFVIII 25 to 50 IU/kg was given 6, 14, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours after completion of the loading dose. For the continuous protocol, rFVIII was given 3 to 4 IU/kg per hour for 48 hours, followed by a bolus of 25 IU/kg at 60 hours. In patients with factor IX deficiency, a loading dose of 100 IU/kg was followed by a bolus of 50 IU/kg at 3, 15, 27, and 48 hours after the loading dose. RESULTS Twenty liver biopsies were performed in children with factor VIII deficiency without major complications. One of the 3 biopsies in the patients with factor IX deficiency was complicated by a hemoperitoneum. Midazolam and fentanyl were used in the first 8 patients. However, postbiopsy pain, presumably secondary to hematoma in 2 patients and hemoperitoneum in 1, prompted us to use ultrasound to locate a suitable biopsy site and to change to propofol; this allowed us to better immobilize the liver, to minimize postbiopsy bleeding. The subsequent 15 biopsies were well tolerated without postbiopsy pain or other complication. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous liver biopsy in children with factor VIII deficiency can be safely performed using either bolus or continuous infusion of recombinant factor VIII. A brief general anesthetic and ultrasound guidance are recommended.
Collapse
|
8
|
Kalambokis G, Manousou P, Vibhakorn S, Marelli L, Cholongitas E, Senzolo M, Patch D, Burroughs AK. Transjugular liver biopsy--indications, adequacy, quality of specimens, and complications--a systematic review. J Hepatol 2007; 47:284-94. [PMID: 17561303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2007.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) is considered an inferior biopsy, used when percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) is contraindicated. According to recent literature, specimens with 6 complete portal tracts (CPTs) are needed for histological diagnosis of chronic liver disease but 11 CPTs to reliably stage and grade. Mean CPT number in PLB series is 7.5; more passes increase complications. Sixty-four series reporting 7649 TJLBs were evaluated for quality of specimen and safety. Major indications were coagulation disorders and/or ascites. Success rate was 96.8%. Fragmentation rate was 34.3%, not correlating with length or diagnostic adequacy. With a mean of 2.7 passes, mean CPT number was 6.8. Histological diagnosis was achieved in 96.1% of TJLBs, correlating with length (p=0.007) and CPT number (p=0.04). Tru-Cut specimens had a mean CPT number of 7.5 and, compared to Menghini specimens, were longer (p<0.008), less fragmented (p<0.001) and more diagnostic (p<0.001). Thinner needles (>16-G) provided significantly longer and less fragmented specimens. Minor and major complication rates were 6.5% and 0.56%, respectively, and increased in children, but not with additional passes. In adults, mortality was 0.09% (haemorrhage 0.06%; ventricular arrhythmia 0.03%). TJLB is safe, providing specimens qualitatively comparable to PLB, and may improve further using > or = 18-G Tru-Cut needle and >3 passes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Kalambokis
- The Sheila Sherlock Hepatobiliary Pancreatic and Liver Transplantation Unit, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London NW3 2QG, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sterling RK, Lyons CD, Stravitz RT, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Carr ME, Smith TJ, Hackney MH, Contos MJ, Mills SA, Kuhn JG, Nolte ME, Shiffman ML. Percutaneous liver biopsy in adult haemophiliacs with hepatitis C virus: safety of outpatient procedure and impact of human immunodeficiency virus coinfection on the spectrum of liver disease. Haemophilia 2007; 13:164-71. [PMID: 17286769 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2006.01322.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Both HCV and HIV are common in haemophiliacs previously treated with non-viral-inactivated clotting factor concentrates. Because of increased bleeding risks, little data are available on the safety of percutaneous outpatient liver biopsy (LBx) and impact of HIV coinfection in this population. This study aims at reporting our experience with percutaneous LBx in a cohort of haemophiliacs infected with HCV and describe the spectrum of disease and impact of HIV coinfection. A retrospective review of consecutive patients with haemophilia and HCV who underwent percutaneous LBx was performed. All patients were positive for HCV RNA by commercial assay and received factor concentrate prior to biopsy. A total of 29 male patients (mean age 36, 24 haemophilia A, five haemophilia B, and 44% coinfected with HIV) underwent successful outpatient percutaneous LBx without bleeding complication. Histologic activity index was 6.44 with advanced fibrosis (bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis) in 31%. When patients were stratified by HIV positive (n = 13) vs. HIV negative (n = 16), coinfected patients had higher fibrosis scores and higher proportion advanced fibrosis (54% vs. 12%; P = 0.0167) with no differences in age, demographic or other laboratory parameters. Multivariate logistic regression found that HIV positivity was independently associated with advanced fibrosis (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.17-11.8; P = 0.026). Outpatient percutaneous LBx can be safely performed in patients with haemophilia. Despite similar age, HIV coinfection was an independent predictor of advanced fibrosis. These data support the hypothesis that HIV accelerates fibrosis progression in those coinfected with HCV and highlights the importance of liver histology in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R K Sterling
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Posthouwer D, Mauser-Bunschoten EP, Fischer K, VAN Erpecum KJ, DE Knegt RJ. Significant liver damage in patients with bleeding disorders and chronic hepatitis C: non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis using transient elastography. J Thromb Haemost 2007; 5:25-30. [PMID: 17239163 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2006.02272.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many patients with bleeding disorders have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), mainly with genotype 1. Antiviral treatment is only effective in 50% of these patients and is often accompanied by serious side effects. Consequently, careful selection of patients for treatment is warranted. Liver biopsies are generally not performed in these patients because of increased bleeding risk and high costs. We therefore assessed liver fibrosis and cirrhosis non-invasively using liver stiffness measurement (LSM). METHODS We enrolled 124 patients with bleeding disorders and chronic hepatitis C. Liver fibrosis was assessed by LSM using Fibroscan. In order to assess the validity of LSM in our hands, a separate group of 63 patients without bleeding disorders infected with HCV were evaluated with both LSM and biopsy. RESULTS In the validation study, liver elasticity was highly correlated with histological fibrosis stage (correlations coefficient 0.73, P < 0.001). Based on LSM, 18% of patients with bleeding disorders and chronic hepatitis C had severe fibrosis, and 17% had cirrhosis after 34 years of infection (range 14-40). However, the prevalence of cirrhosis based on laboratory and ultrasonographic findings was only 7%. Independent risk factors for an increase in LSM were older age at infection, higher body mass index, presence of viral co-infection, and male gender. Fifteen out of 59 patients (25%) with an apparent indication for treatment (significant fibrosis by LSM) agreed to start antiviral therapy within 3 months. CONCLUSIONS We found an unexpected high number of patients with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with bleeding disorders and hepatitis C detected by LSM, with considerable impact on the management of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Posthouwer
- Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Maor Y, Bashari D, Kenet G, Lubetsky A, Luboshitz J, Schapiro JM, Pénaranda G, Bar-Meir S, Martinowitz U, Halfon P. Non-invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis in haemophilia patients with hepatitis C: can you avoid liver biopsy? Haemophilia 2006; 12:372-9. [PMID: 16834736 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2006.01290.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the evaluation of fibrosis despite its risks and limitations, especially in haemophilia patients. Recently, non-invasive biomarkers have been used to assess histological features. The most thoroughly evaluated biomarker is the FibroTest (FT) (AUROC 0.80 for fibrosis stages F2F3F4 vs. F0F1). To estimate liver fibrosis in haemophilia patients infected with hepatitis C (HCV) using non-invasive biomarkers without liver biopsy. One hundred and thirty-two haemophilia patients (124 male, mean age 38 +/- 14 years) with anti-HCV antibodies were evaluated. These patients were stratified into several groups: patients with features of advanced liver disease - seven, persistently HCV RNA-negative - 21, persistently normal liver function tests (LFTs)- 24, HCV/HIV co-infected - 27. The following biomarkers of fibrosis were used: FT, AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), Forns index, age-platelet index and hyaluronic acid. The obtained scores were correlated with the clinical features of the patients. Estimated by the FT, the distribution of the stage of fibrosis in the 132 patients was F0F1 = 65% (86/132), F2 = 5% (7/132), F3 = 13% (17/132) and F4 = 17% (22/132). Using FT, all patients with clinical suspicion of advanced liver disease were classified as F3F4, whereas patients with persistently HCV RNA-negative were all classified as F0F1. Twenty-one per cent (5/24) of the patients with persistently normal LFTs had fibrosis stage F3F4. The proportion of F3F4 among HCV/HIV co-infected patients was significantly higher than among HCV mono-infected (52% vs. 33%; P = 0.05). Concordance of three or more biomarkers was present in 43% (57/132) of the patients. Liver biopsy could be avoided in 70% (92/132) using a practical assumption that if FT is in concordance with APRI and/or Forns, then we may confidently rely on the biomarker. Concordance rate for patients with presumably advanced or minimal liver disease was excellent (100% and 95% respectively). In our HCV-infected haemophilia patients, FT correctly identified clinically advanced or minimal liver disease. Discordance among the various biomarkers of fibrosis was considerate; nevertheless, practical combination of FT, APRI, and Forns may predict stage of fibrosis with accuracy, potentially avoiding liver biopsy in the majority of the patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Maor
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
|