Non-invasive Fibrosis Testing in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

AbstractPurpose of ReviewSummarizing the available evidence and advantages and disadvantages of the use of non-invasive tests for the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, including before and during antiviral therapy.Recent FindingsStaging of liver fibrosis and early detection of compensated cirrhosis are critical in the treatment decisions and surveillance of HBV patients. Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis has been one of the major advances in hepatology over the past decade, relying either on the dosage of serum biomarkers or on the measurement of liver stiffness, using either ultrasound- or magnetic resonance-based elastography techniques. The most widely used and validated tests in HBV patients are APRI, FIB-4 (non-patented), and FibroTest-Fibrosure ® (patented) for serum biomarkers and transient elastography. Liver stiffness also has prognostic value in the context of cirrhosis.SummaryNon-invasive tests are now recommended by national and international guidelines as first-line tools for fibrosis assessment.
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research