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Prospective evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic copper content, as determined using the entire core of a liver biopsy sample
Author(s) -
Yang Xu,
Tang Xiaopeng,
Zhang Yonghong,
Luo Kaizhong,
Jiang Yongfang,
Luo Hongyu,
Lei Jianhua,
Wang Wenlong,
Li Mingming,
Chen Hanchun,
Deng Shilin,
Lai Liying,
Liang Jun,
Zhang Min,
Tian Yi,
Xu Yun
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.27932
Subject(s) - liver biopsy , biopsy , medicine , cirrhosis , gastroenterology , primary biliary cirrhosis , prospective cohort study , predictive value , hepatology , diagnostic accuracy , liver disease
Hepatic copper determination is an important test for the diagnosis of Wilson's disease (WD). However, the method has not been standardized, the diagnostic accuracy has not been evaluated prospectively, and the optimal cut‐off value remains controversial. Accordingly, we aimed to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic copper content, as determined using the entire core of a liver biopsy sample. Patients for whom a liver biopsy was indicated were consecutively enrolled. Hepatic copper content was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy. All assays were performed using careful quality control by a single technician. WD diagnosis was based on WD score or its combination with clinical follow‐up results. A total of 3,350 consecutive patients underwent liver biopsy. Six hundred ninety‐one patients, including 178 with WD, underwent two passes of liver biopsy with hepatic copper determination. Mean hepatic content in WD patients was 770.6 ± 393.2 μg/g dry weight (wt). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of hepatic copper content for WD diagnosis in the absence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or primary sclerosing cholangitis at the cut‐off value of 250 μg/g dry wt. were 94.4%, 96.8%, 91.8%, and 97.8%, respectively. The most useful cut‐off value was 209 μg/g dry wt, with a sensitivity and specificity of 99.4% and 96.1%, respectively. A total of 23.3% of patients without WD and PBC had hepatic copper content >75 μg/g dry wt. Conclusion: A liver biopsy sample of more than 1 mg dry wt may reliably reflect hepatic copper content and should be used for hepatic copper determination. Hepatic copper determination is a very valid procedure for the diagnosis of WD, and the most useful cut‐off value is 209 μg/g dry wt.(H epatology 2015;62:1731–1741)