A stepwise algorithm using an at-a-glance first-line test for the non-invasive diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis

Chronic liver diseases (CLD) are very common: worldwide, an estimated 160 million people have chronic hepatitis C [1], 240 million have chronic hepatitis B [2], and 25% of the general population has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [3]. CLD can lead to a progressive accumulation of fibrosis in the liver which progressively evolves to cirrhosis and its life-threatening complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver failure, variceal bleeding, or renal insufficiency. In 2012, driven by the growing worldwide burden of CLD, cirrhosis was responsible for more than 35 million years of lost life and thus became the eleventh leading cause of mortality among non-communicable diseases [4].

Source: Journal of Hepatology - January 12, 2017 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: J érôme Boursier, Victor de Ledinghen, Vincent Leroy, Rodolphe Anty, Sven Francque, Dominique Salmon, Adrien Lannes, Sandrine Bertrais, Frederic Oberti, Isabelle Fouchard-Hubert, Paul Calès Tags: Research Article Source Type: research