Liver stiffness measurement as an alternative to fibrotic stage in risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence for chronic hepatitis C patients

Hsin Ming Wang, Chao Hung Hung, Sheng Nan Lu, Chien Hung Chen, Chuan Mo Lee, Tsung Hui Hu, Jing Houng Wang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Hepatic fibrosis stage is useful in assessing risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence. Aim: To evaluate liver stiffness measurement (LSM), in addition to fibrosis stage, in risk assessment of long-term HCC occurrence for patients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients and methods: Consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C, without past history and presence of HCC, with concomitant liver biopsy and LSM were enrolled in this study. All patients attended regular surveillance for HCC development every 3-12 months. The medical records were reviewed. Follow-up LSM was performed at least 1 year later. Results: One hundred and ninety-eight patients (M/F: 112/86) with reliable LSM results were enrolled. Ten patients developed HCC in a median follow-up period of 47.8 months. For patients with initial LSM >24 kPa, 12-24 kPa, and <12 kPa, 5- year HCC incidence was 45.1%, 9.5% and 0.9% respectively. Multivariate analysis showed patients with LSM>24 kPa and patients with LSM 12-24 kPa had higher risks of HCC development (HR: 24.6, CI: 2.7-220.4 and HR:11.7, CI:1.3-105.2). Patients without sustained virological response after treatment also had higher risk of HCC occurrence (HR: 9.7, CI: 1.1-82.2). Among 106 patients with follow-up LSM, there was a higher risk of HCC development for patients with LSM>12 kPa in the initial and follow-up LSM. Conclusion: As an alternative of fibrosis stage, initial LSM is useful as a non-invasive method in risk assessment of HCC occurrence for patients with chronic hepatitis C. Serial follow-up LSM>12 kPa carries higher risk of HCC development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)756-761
Number of pages6
JournalLiver International
Volume33
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 05 2013

Keywords

  • Chronic hepatitis C
  • Hepatic fibrosis
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Liver stiffness measurement
  • Transient elastography

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Liver stiffness measurement as an alternative to fibrotic stage in risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence for chronic hepatitis C patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this