Profiles of advanced hepatic fibrosis evaluated by FIB‐4 index and shear wave elastography in health checkup examinees

Abstract

Aim Advanced hepatic fibrosis is seen in individuals with potential hepatocellular carcinoma and cardiovascular disease. Hepatic fibrosis can be assessed using a combination of the FIB‐4 index and imaging modalities, including shear wave elastography. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of advanced fibrosis in the general population and the profiles associated with advanced fibrosis using a data‐mining analysis. Methods We enrolled 1155 health checkup examinees (median age 53 years, 685 women, 470 male). Advanced fibrosis was defined by FIB‐4 index ≥1.3 and liver stiffness ≥8.07 kPa using shear wave elastography. Participants were classified as normal‐mild fibrosis (n = 1035) or advanced fibrosis (n = 120). Factors associated with advanced fibrosis were analyzed by logistic regression and decision‐tree analyses. Results Advanced fibrosis was observed in 10.4% of participants (120/1155). In the logistic regression analysis, independent factors for advanced fibrosis were age (≥75 years; OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.021–4.415; P = 0.0419) and the presence of metabolic syndrome (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.416–4.462; P = 0.0017). The decision‐tree analysis showed two profiles associated with advanced fibrosis: profile 1 – individuals aged ≥65 years with metabolic syndrome and mild‐to‐moderate alcohol consumption (prevalence of advanced fibrosis 73.3%); and profile 2 – individuals without metabolic syndrome, aged ≥75 years, with no exercise habit (prevalence of advanced fibrosis 56.3%). Conclusions Advanced fibrosis was observed in 10.4% of health checkup examinees. Furthermore, we showed that aging, metabolic syndrome with mild‐to‐moderate alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity were associated with advanced fibrosis. Thus, prevention of metabolic syndrome and alcohol withdrawal, as well as exercise habits, might inhibit the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

MAFLD identifies patients with significant hepatic fibrosis better than NAFLD

“…Second, we did not perform liver biopsy in this study and our study is based on non‐invasive tests. We wish to note that the scores are well‐validated across various cohorts and ethnicities 13,20 and are incorporated in clinical guidelines 5,14 . In addition, our adopted algorithm is well‐validated 13,20 .…”

“…The diagnosis of fatty liver was based on the following at abdominal ultrasonography: increased hepato‐renal contrast, increased echogenicity of liver parenchyma, unclear visualization of the intrahepatic vessels, and/or impaired visualization of the diaphragm as previously described 13 …”

Effects of canagliflozin on growth and metabolic reprograming in hepatocellular carcinoma cells: Multi-omics analysis of metabolomics and absolute quantification proteomics (iMPAQT)

“…Cell lysate samples 48 hours after treatment with DMSO (CON) and CANA (10 μM) were used for metabolomic analysis (each n = 5). Metabolome measurements were performed at a service facility of LSI Medience Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) as previously described [24]. Briefly, cell lysate was added to methanol and then mixed for 15 minutes with a shaker at room temperature.…”

Three-dimensional CT texture analysis of anatomic liver segments can differentiate between low-grade and high-grade fibrosis

“…SWE has been extensively validated and recognized as an accurate technique for staging liver fibrosis [ 10 , 23 ]. Thus, similar to other studies, we used ultrasound elastography for the assessment of advanced-stage fibrosis instead of liver biopsy [ 24 , 25 ]. Imaging in PV is routinely performed during most of the abdominal CT scans.…”