10. NAFLD score as an indicator to perform MR elastography in non alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background and Aims: Liver biopsy and MR elastography continues to be the standard in diagnosing NAFLD and liver fibrosis. Several predictive scores help diagnose stage of fibrosis in NAFLD. Liver biopsy is not practical for diagnosis of fibrosis in most patients. This study was designed to determine the best biochemical score to select patients for MR elastography. We aim to compare the diagnostic performance of non-invasive tools, APRI, FIB-4 and NAFLD score in predicting liver fibrosis in NAFLD using MR elastography as gold standard. Methods: Patients with fatty liver on ultrasound, who consumed less than 20 g of alcohol/day and had more than 5% liver fat on MRI were diagnosed as Non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Patient data was collected retrospectively from July 2017 to March 2018. KPa value from MR elastography was compared using correlation coefficient with APRI Score, NAFLD Score, FIB 4 Score and Platelet count. Results: Thirty patients were assessed retrospectively. KPa score correlated with NAFLD score (r = 0.5, p = 0.0049) APRI score (r = 0.13, p = 0.49), FIB 4 score (r = 0.18, p = 0.34) and Platelet count (r = (−)0.15, p = 0.43). 13/30 patients had NAFLD score < -2.20. All patients with NAFLD score < −2.20, had KPa < 3, indicating fibrosis less than F2. 11/17 patients with NAFLD score > −2.20 had KPa > 3, indicating fibrosis > = F2. Conclusions: NAFLD score is best to predict liver fibrosis in Non alcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD score > −2.2 may be used to select patients for MR Elastography. The authors have none to declare.