Premium
Non‐invasive fibrosis biomarkers – APRI and F orns – are associated with liver stiffness in HIV ‐monoinfected patients receiving antiretroviral drugs
Author(s) -
Hasson Hamid,
Merli Marco,
Galli Laura,
Gallotta Giulia,
Carbone Alessia,
Messina Emanuela,
Bagaglio Sabrina,
Morsica Giulia,
Salpietro Stefania,
Castagna Antonella,
Lazzarin Adriano,
UbertiFoppa Caterina
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12159
Subject(s) - transient elastography , medicine , cirrhosis , liver injury , liver disease , gastroenterology , fibrosis , liver fibrosis
Background & Aims HIV ‐monoinfected patients are susceptible to liver injury by different factors and may develop liver fibrosis, which requires adequate clinical management in terms of therapy and disease monitoring. We aimed to evaluate the presence of liver fibrosis identified by transient elastography ( TE ), its relationships with indirect biochemical markers [the aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index ( APRI ), the F orns index and FIB ‐4] and its predictive factors in HIV ‐monoinfected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy ( ART ). Methods Seventy‐two HIV ‐monoinfected patients underwent TE and were evaluated using APRI , Forns and FIB ‐4. The clinical, immunological, virological and other biochemical characteristics were evaluated at the time of TE , together with their history of ART . Results Seven patients (10%) had liver stiffness ( LS ) values predicting cirrhosis, and 12 (17%) had values predicting significant or advanced fibrosis. Higher indirect biochemical scores of liver fibrosis were significantly associated with higher LS values [ APRI r s = 0.4296 ( P < 0.001); Forns r s = 0.4754 ( P < 0.001); FIB ‐4 r s = 0.285 ( P = 0.015)]. At multivariable analysis, APRI (β = 2.7405; P = 0.036), F orns (β = 1.4174; P = 0.029) and triglyceride levels (β = 1.3028; P = 0.007) were independently associated with LS . Conclusions Indirect fibrosis biomarkers may increase the probability to detect liver injury enhancing a specific diagnostic workup and so contribute to improving the clinical management of HIV ‐monoinfected patients with clinically suspected liver disease.