Evaluation of multiple-scoring system for non-alcoholic fatty liver patients based on CK18 levels, lipid profile and liver enzymes

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease is usually associated with conditions such as steatosis, steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Liver biopsy, which is the reference, gold standard and invasive method for the diagnosis of the disease may have complications. Scoring systems are among the noninvasive diagnostic methods. Numerous noninvasive scoring systems based on routinely measured clinical and laboratory parameters were provided that identifies the steatosis and advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. In this study, several scoring system in patients with NAFLD were evaluated. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out on sonographically established NAFLD (n=51) patients and healthy individuals (n=30). Anthropometric factors, biochemical tests and CK-18 fragment levels were evaluated. Then the scores for hepatic steatosis index, fatty liver index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelets ratio index (APRI) were calculated. In addition, the BARD and (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) scores were calculated. Results: In this study, as expected, except for FIB-4, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Scoring systems examined in this study can help to predict the presence or absence of fibrosis and NAFLD or NASH