RESUMO
The constraints of liver biopsy and the limitations of single parameters in assessing liver fibrosis have boosted the development of scores combining markers to improve accuracy. Laminin-based score was devised by the study group in 2006. The present study was conducted to validate the diagnostic accuracy of this score and of transient elastography [T.E.] In another group of ninety Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients were biopsied and subjected to assessment of score parameters [serum albumin, AST, prothrombin concentration, laminin, portal vein diameter] and liver stifihess by T.E. Patients were classified using modified Knodell score into 7 groups [stage 0-stage 6]. A significant relation between the stage of fibrosis and the laminin-based score was found. The score demonstrated high accuracy for diagnosing significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver stiffness correlated significantly with staging of fibrosis as well as with laminin-based score. T.E. demonstrated high accuracy for diagnosing significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. Both methods proved useful to discriminate stages F4 and F5. When both methods were combined, the diagnostic accuracy was increased to 93.7% for diagnosing significant fibrosis. Laminin-based score and T.E. Proved their clinical value and may reduce the need for repeated liver biopsies