Magnetic Resonance-based fibrosis markers in patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Exploratory data from the Turin cohort. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Amato, D.; Tore, D.; Rosso, C.; Armandi, A.; Castelnuovo, G.; Abdulle, A.; Gjni, K.; Diaz del Campo, N. Perez; Guariglia, M.; Caviglia, G.P.; Gatti, M.; Bugianesi, E.
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 55(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S22
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.01.039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: In the setting of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), liver fibrosis(LF) is the most relevant prognostic factor. Several non-invasive tests have been proposed to assess LF; among them, Magnetic resonance elastography(MRE) is so far the most accurate. Compared to the traditional magnetic resonance(MR), MRE requires an additional hardware with increasing procedure costs, with limited application in clinical practice. Quantitative T1-MR imaging is an emerging tool for the evaluation of LF, but its potential use has not yet been fully investigated. Aim: We aimed to explore the correlations between T1 measured on vendor specific(vendor-T1) and LivermultiScan MOLLI(LMS-T1) sequences, with MRE and vibration controlled transient elastography(VCTE) parameters, in a cohort of NAFLD patients. Methods: Between June 2021 and October 2022, we prospectively enrolled 24 NAFLD patients who underwent concomitant MR and VCTE. We extracted the following MR data(Philips Achieva 1, 5T): from MRE, stiffness measured on FFE and EPI sequences; from multiparametric liver MR, T1 with vendor specific and LMS sequences, T2, proton-density-fat-fraction(PDFF); from VCTE(Fibroscan, Echosense), stiffness and controlled attenuation parameter(CAP). Results: Median age was 54 years(interquartile range[IQR], 45-63) and 52% of the cases were males. Median liver stiffness value by VCTE was 5.9 kPa(IQR 4.4-8.4), while median CAP value was 313 dB/m(IQR 290-334). MRE-EPI stiffness showed significant correlation with MRE-FFE stiffness(r= 0.84, p<0.001), VCTE stiffness(r= 0.71, p<0.001), T1(r= 0.61, p<0.005) and T2(r= 0.42, p<0.05). LMS-T1 correlated to MRE-FFE stiffness(r=0.537, p < 0.02), while T1 correlated to MRE-EPI stiffness(r=0.616, p< 0.005). At multivariate regression analysis adjusted for T2 and PDFF, both vendor-T1 and LMS-T1 were significantly and independently associated with MRE-EPI stiffness(t=3.64, p=0.002 and t=2.4, p=0.027, respectively). Conclusions: In NAFLD patients, T1 sequences may be used for the non-invasive assessment of LF. Further data from larger cohorts are needed to assess its potential use in clinical practice. Supporting grants: Italian MIUR"Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2018-2022"D15D18000410001 and Horizon2020, no.777377, LITMUS.