Validation of transient elastography (Fibroscan) in assessment of hepatic fibrosis in autoimmune hepatitis / 中华肝脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To validate transient elastography (Fibroscan) in assessment of hepatic fibrosis in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liver stiffness was assessed using Fibroscan in totally 30 patients with AIH. We compared the results of Fibroscan with the Scheuer fibrosis stage in liver biopsy in each patient.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>4 patients were shown as liver fibrosis stage S0, 6 as S1, 5 as S2, 11 as S3 and 4 as S4. Failure of the Fibroscan measurement occurred in 1 case (3.3%) because of her increased body mass index (BMI). The stiffness of Fibroscan was significantly correlated with the liver biopsy fibrosis stage (r = 0.801, P less than 0.001). The liver stiffnesses between mild and moderate fibrosis (S0-2) and advanced fibrosis (S3-4) were significantly different (t = -3.937, P = 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transient elastography (Fibroscan) is a promising non-invasive method for detection of fibrosis in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Its use for the follow up and management of these patients and should be evaluated further.</p>