Transient elastography, APRI, and ultrasound have minimal utility in chronic low-replicative hepatitis B infection

Abstract

No patients were identified with advanced fibrosis by TE, APRI, or US meriting HBV antiviral therapy and/or enhanced screening. TE and US have minimal apparent utility in this specific population.

Australian Liver Association (ALA) expert consensus recommendations for the use of transient elastography in chronic viral hepatitis

“…Individuals in this phase of disease may not require antiviral therapy. Several studies have included cohorts of patients with inactive hepatitis B . These patients appear to have a low rate of LSM progression over time and a low rate of clinically relevant outcomes.…”

“…Several studies have included cohorts of patients with inactive hepatitis B. [82][83][84][85][86] These patients appear to have a low rate of LSM progression over time and a low rate of clinically relevant outcomes. In one of these cohorts, 86 only 11 patients (5.5%) had an LSM > 7.2 kPa.…”

Role of the Aspartate Transaminase and Platelet Ratio Index in Assessing Hepatic Fibrosis and Liver Inflammation in Adolescent Patients with HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B

“…However, till now, we still mainly depend on liver biopsies to assess their disease status, including the degree of liver fibrosis and grade of inflammation [ 1 , 2 ]. Liver biopsies are an invasive examination with possible traumatic complications including bleeding, pain, and pneumothorax and, therefore, these methods cannot be frequently repeated and not suitable for dynamic surveillance of the pathological changes of hepatic tissues [ 3 – 5 ]. Recently, several noninvasive diagnostic models of liver fibrosis have been established using combinations of serological markers, such as the aspartate transaminase and platelet ratio index (APRI), Hepascore, Fibroindex, slower lung function growth (SLFG), Fibroscan, Fibrotouch, and Forn's index [ 6 – 18 ].…”