85 research outputs found

    Meta-analyses of FibroTest diagnostic value in chronic liver disease

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>FibroTest (FT) is a biomarker of liver fibrosis initially validated in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).</p> <p>The aim was to test two hypotheses, one, that the FT diagnostic value was similar in the three other frequent fibrotic diseases: chronic hepatitis B (CHB), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); and the other, that the FT diagnostic value was similar for intermediate and extreme fibrosis stages.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The main end points were the FT area under the ROC curves (AUROCs) for the diagnosis of bridging fibrosis (F2F3F4 vs. F0F1), standardized for the spectrum of fibrosis stages, and the comparison of FT AUROCs between adjacent stages. Two meta-analyses were performed: one combining all the published studies (random model), and one of an integrated data base combining individual data. Sensitivity analysis integrated the independency of authors, lenght of biopsy, prospective design, respect of procedures, comorbidities, and duration between biopsy and serum sampling.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 30 studies were included which pooled 6,378 subjects with both FT and biopsy (3,501 HCV, 1,457 HBV, 267 NAFLD, 429 ALD, and 724 mixed). Individual data were analyzed in 3,282 patients. The mean standardized AUROC was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.83–0.86), without differences between causes of liver disease: HCV 0.85 (0.82–0.87), HBV 0.80 (0.77–0.84), NAFLD 0.84 (0.76–0.92), ALD 0.86 (0.80–0.92), mixed 0.85 (0.80–0.93). The AUROC for the diagnosis of the intermediate adjacent stages F2 vs. F1 (0.66; 0.63–0.68, n = 2,055) did not differ from that of the extreme stages F3 vs. F4 (0.69; 0.65–0.72, n = 817) or F1 vs. F0 (0.62; 0.59–0.65, n = 1788).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>FibroTest is an effective alternative to biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C and B, ALD and NAFLD. The FT diagnostic value is similar for the diagnosis of intermediate and extreme fibrosis stages.</p

    The future treatment of portal hypertension

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    Increased understanding of the hyperdynamic circulation syndrome has resulted in novel therapeutic approaches, some of which have already reached clinical practice. Central to the hyperdynamic circulation syndrome is an imbalance between the increase in different vasodilators (foremost among which is nitric oxide) and the compensatory increase in vasoconstrictors--usually accompanied by a blunted response. This chapter discusses the role of endothelin in the pathogenesis of the syndrome and in future treatment approaches. A relatively new area of research in this field is the role of infection and inflammation in the initiation and maintenance of the hyperdynamic circulation syndrome. The use of antibiotics in the setting of acute variceal bleeding is standard practice. Studies have suggested that chronic manipulation of the intestinal flora could have beneficial effects in the treatment of portal hypertension. The bile salts are another novel and interesting target. Although their vasoactive properties have been known for some time, recent data demonstrate that their effects could be central in the pathogenesis of the hyperdynamic circulation syndrome, and that manipulation of the composition of the bile acid pool could be a therapeutic approach to portal hypertension. Finally, hypoxia and angiogenesis play a role in the development of portal hypertension and the formation of collaterals. This role needs to be further defined but it appears likely that this phenomenon is yet another target for therapeutic intervention
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