The direct comparison for the diagnostic ability of liver fibrosis by several non-invasive methods

【Background】There are many non-invasive diagnostic methods for the degree of liver fibrosis.
【Aim】The aim of this study is to compare with some serological markers and ultrasound elastography(USE) for the diagnostic ability of liver fibrosis.
【Methods】A total of 236 patients with chronic liver disease who received liver biopsy were analysed. Liver stiffness was measured by transient elastography(TE), virtual touch quantification(VTQ) and shear wave elastography(SWE) and serological hepatic fibrosis markers were measured.
【Results】The liver stiffness measurement(LSM) and liver fibrosis markers increased significantly with the progression of liver fibrosis(p<0.001). AUROC for the significant liver fibrosis (F2≤), the severe liver fibrosis(F3≤) and liver cirrhosis(F4) were 0.892/0.878/0.916 for TE, 0.835/0.874/ 0.919 for VTQ and 0.874/0.924/0.931 for SWE, 0.774/0.754/0.792 for platelet, 0.761/0.822/0.827 for HA, 0.748/0.778/0.818 for type Ⅳ collagen, 0.513/0.535/0.533 for P-Ⅲ-P, 0.789/0.822/0.813 for M2BPGi, 0.770/0.791/0.786 for Fib-4 index, 0.735/0.791/0.786 for APRI, respectively. In F0-2, LSM and liver fibrosis markers in A2-3 increased significantly more than that in A0-1, but LSM and liver fibrosis markers in F3-4 increased with no significant except for M2BPGi and APRI.
【Conclusion】USE is the best non-invasive methods for the diagnostic ability of the degree of liver fibrosis. But the diagnosis for the degree of liver fibrosis in F0-2 should be pay attention because of the influence of liver necroinflammation.