NON-INVASIVE TOOLS TO PREDICT FIBROSIS IN METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION-ASSOCIATED STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE (MASLD). THE RESULTS OF THE PROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM THE HEPATOLOGY TERTIARY CENTER FROM IASI

Authors

  • V.A. OLTEANU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Roxana NEMTEANU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Ilinca-Maria CHIRIAC Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi
  • Oana TIMOFTE “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • G.G. BALAN “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Catalina MIHAI “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Gabriela STEFANESCU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Lilia LICA “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Cristiana ANDRONIC “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Irina CIORTESCU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

Keywords:

METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION-ASSOCIATED STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE (MASLD), SEROLOGICAL MARKERS, 2D SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), represents nowadays the most common cause of chronic liver disease. The gold-standard method for assessing the degree of steatosis and fibrosis is liver biopsy (invasive method). The aim of the study was to establish the role of non-invasive testing (serological and imagistic) in identifying MASLD patients at higher risk to develop advanced fibrosis. Materials and methods: a total of 111 patients with MASLD was tested for fibrosis using non-invasive tests. Serological test that were used consisted in the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), Fibrosis Index for liver fibrosis (FIB-4) and BARD. Imagistic method consisted in 2D shear wave elastography (2D-SWE.GE elastography). Results: The majority of patients (54.9%) had significant fibrosis (F2-F4). The degree of liver fibrosis assessed by 2D-SWE.GE elastography could have been correlated with a range of serological parameters. Liver transaminase values were, in the majority of subjects, the only changes detected. The increase was moderate, and the ASAT/ALAT ratio was subunit. We found statistically significant differences between subgroups of patients with and without advanced fibrosis in the following parameters: BMI, platelets, albumin, blood glucose. All three types of testing identified the cases with significant fibrosis. NFS testing correlated best with advanced fibrosis estimated from 2D-SWE.GE elastometry. Conclusions: Serological and imagistic tests are validated tools to predict advanced fibrosis in MASLD patients. The limitation of the study is the relatively small number of patients and the lack of reporting on liver biopsy.

Author Biographies

  • V.A. OLTEANU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • Roxana NEMTEANU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • Ilinca-Maria CHIRIAC, Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi

    Department of Cardiology

  • Oana TIMOFTE, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • G.G. BALAN, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • Catalina MIHAI, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • Gabriela STEFANESCU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • Lilia LICA, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • Cristiana ANDRONIC, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

  • Irina CIORTESCU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi,
    Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

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Additional Files

Published

2024-03-29

Issue

Section

INTERNAL MEDICINE - PEDIATRICS