Non-invasive methods for evaluationof liver status of newly diagnosed patients with viral hepatitis B and C
General Medicine, 2025, 27(5), 30-35.
S. Donev1, V. Pencheva1, D. Petrova1, V. Yordanov1, E. Gyuleva1, M. Kirilova-Doneva2
1Department of Propedeutics of Internal Diseases, UMHAT “Alexandrovska”, Medical Faculty, Medical University ‒ Sofia
2Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University ‒ Sofia
Abstract. Introduction: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C viruses (HCV) are significant causes of liver disease, and liver fibrosis is a complication caused by these diseases. The aim of the study is to compare the diagnostic efficiency of APRI and FIB-4 indexes with Fibroscan results for patients with virus hepatitis B or C and high ALT and BMI results. Materials and Methods: The retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with HBV and HCV. This study uses laboratory results and imaging to investigate liver damage in chronic HBV and HCV patients. APRI and FIB-4 were computed based on laboratory results. Results: A total of 89 patients (40 hepatitis B patients and 49 hepatitis C patients) were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the Fibroscan results in the two groups (p = 0.104). The HBV group’s mean APRI and FIB-4 were lower than HCV, but significant difference was observed for values of FIB-4 only (p = 0.03). Conclusion: The laboratory results and medical calculator give useful initial evaluation of patients’ condition and can be used to prevent biopsy in mild cases. The combination of Fibroscan, APRI and FIB-4 can be applied taking into account the biochemical profile of the overweight patients (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2) and those with ALT greater than 1.5 ALT level. The interpretation of the Fibroscan measure has to take into account the biochemical profile of the overweight patients and those with ALT greater than 1.5 ALT level.
Key words: APRI, FIB-4, Fibroscan, HBV, HCV, hepatic injury
Address for correspondence: Svilen Donev, MD, e-mail: svilendonev95@gmail.com