No abstract

Background: FibroTest, a noninvasive method of measuring biomarkers of liver fibrosis, is an alternative to liver biopsy for determining the severity of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We compared the 5-year prognostic value of the FibroTest with biopsy staging for predicting cirrhosis decompensation and survival in patients with chronic HCV infection. Methods: Fibrosis stage was assessed on the same day by FibroTest and biopsy in a prospective cohort of 537 patients. Disease classification at baseline was 157 patients with severe fibrosis (FibroTest >0.58), 137 with moderate fibrosis (FibroTest 0.32-0.58), and 243 with no or minimal fibrosis (FibroTest <0.32). Results: In 64 untreated patients with severe fibrosis, survival without HCV complications was 73% [95% confidence interval (CI), 59%-086%; 13 complications], and survival without HCV-related death was 85% (95% CI, 73%-96%; 7 HCV deaths). Survival rates were higher in patients with moderate fibrosis, [99% (95% CI, 97%-100%; 1 complication; P <0.001) and 100% (no HCV death; P <0.001) for patients with and without HCVrelated complications, respectively], and in patients with minimal fibrosis [100% (no complication; P <0.001

Background: Biopsy is the usual gold standard for liver steatosis assessment. The aim of this study was to identify a panel of biomarkers (SteatoTest), with sufficient predictive values, for the non-invasive diagnosis of steatosis in patients with or without chronic liver disease. Biomarkers and panels were assessed in a training group of consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C and B, alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and were validated in two independent groups including a prospective one. Steatosis was blindly assessed by using a previously validated scoring system.