Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis and prognosis: an update on serum and elastography markers. (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agbim, Uchenna; Asrani, Sumeet K.
• Is Part Of: Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology. Volume 13:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 374
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Elastography -- hepatitis C -- hepatitis B -- liver fibrosis -- liver stiffness -- magnetic resonance elastography -- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease -- shear wave elastography -- vibration-controlled transient elastography; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.3
• DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2019.1579641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-4124

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Non-invasive assessment of fibrosis is increasingly utilized in clinical practice to diagnose hepatic fibrosis. Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis relies on biologic and/or physical properties to assess tissue fibrosis. Serum markers estimate fibrosis by incorporating markers reflecting hepatic function (indirect markers) and/or markers measuring extracellular matrix degradation/fibrogenesis (direct markers). Radiology based techniques relay the mechanical properties and stiffness of a tissue, with increased stiffness associated with more advanced fibrosis. Areas covered : In this comprehensive review, the recent literature discussing serum markers and elastography-based techniques will be covered. These modalities are also explored in the setting of various liver diseases. Expert opinion : The etiology of liver disease and clinical context should be taken into consideration when non-invasive markers are incorporated in clinical practice. Non-invasive assessment of fibrosis has been most extensively utilized in hepatitis C, followed by hepatitis B and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but its role remains less developed in other etiologies of liver disease such as alcohol-associated liver disease and autoimmune liver disease. The role of non-invasive markers in predicting progression or regression of fibrosis, development of liver-related events and survival needs to be further explored.