Correlation of transient elastography with APRI and FIB-4 in a cohort of patients with congenital bleeding disorders and HCV or HIV/HCV coinfection

Haemophilia. 2010 Sep 1;16(5):778-85. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2010.02204.x. Epub 2010 Mar 15.

Abstract

Patients with inherited bleeding disorders frequently suffer from chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono- or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfection. Non-invasive markers for liver fibrosis are warranted for these patients. We tested a large cohort of haemophilic patients with HCV mono- or HIV/HCV coinfection for correlation of transient elastography (TE) with two simple surrogate markers of liver fibrosis and for differences in fibrosis stages according to these markers. We prospectively enrolled HCV-positive patients with congenital bleeding disorders with or without HIV coinfection. Liver function tests and platelet counts were determined and TE was performed. Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and a simple index called FIB-4 were calculated and results were correlated with TE. A total number of 174 patients were included (23% HCV, 36% HIV/HCV coinfected, 33% with cleared HCV and 8% with ongoing HIV but cleared HCV). TE correlated significantly with APRI and FIB-4 (r = 0.60; P < 0.001 and r = 0.54; P < 0.001 respectively). This correlation was pronounced in patients with ongoing HCV infection (r = 0.67; P < 0.001 and r = 0.60; P < 0.001). Prediction of advanced fibrosis resulted in concordance rates >80% with combinations of TE plus APRI and APRI plus FIB-4. HIV/HCV coinfected patients did not present with advanced fibrosis stages when compared with HCV-monoinfected patients. Combinations of two non-invasive markers may significantly reduce the number of liver biopsies in patients with bleeding disorders and advanced liver fibrosis. Furthermore, our data support previous studies that observed a favourable outcome in patients with HIV/HCV and a preserved immune function in times of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cohort Studies
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques* / methods
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Hemophilia A / complications*
  • Hemophilia B / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Count
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases