The correlation between transient elastrography and liver function Child-Pugh grade in patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the correlation between transient elastrography (TE) and liver function Child-Pugh grade in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods The clinical data of 120 patients with liver cirrhosis were retrospectively analyzed. Among the patients, hepatitis-B virus-related cirrhosis was in 103 cases, and 57 patients had ascites. The liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was measured by FibroScan. The liver function Child-Pugh grade was evaluated by liver function Child-Pugh system score. The LSM was compared in patients with different liver function Child-Pugh grade. Results Among the 120 patients with liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh A grade was in 39 cases, Child-Pugh B grade in 28 cases, and Child-Pugh C grade in 53 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh B grade patients and C grade patients were significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh A grade patients: (20.2 ± 1.1) and (30.8 ± 1.2) kPa vs. (15.7 ± 1.4) kPa, the LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Among the 103 patients with hepatitis-B virus-related cirrhosis, Child-Pugh A grade was in 33 cases, Child-Pugh B grade in 24 cases, and Child- Pugh C grade in 46 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh B grade patients and C grade patients were significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh A grade patients: (18.7 ± 0.9) and (26.9 ± 0.6) kPa vs. (12.6 ± 1.7) kPa, the LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients, and there were statistical difference (P<0.05). Among the 57 patients associated ascites, Child-Pugh B grade was in 11 cases, and Child-Pugh C grade in 46 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients: (42.3 ± 1.4) kPa vs. (35.1 ± 1.0) kPa, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05). Among the 103 patients with hepatitis-B virus-related cirrhosis, associated ascites was in 49 cases, Child-Pugh B grade was in 10 cases, and Child-Pugh C grade in 39 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients: (40.6 ± 0.9) kPa vs. (33.2 ± 1.5) kPa, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusions The LSM values of patients with liver cirrhosis are higher with the elevation of liver function Child-Pugh grade. There is a correlation between LSM values and Child-Pugh scores. The LSM can partly evaluate the severity of liver disease in patients with liver fibrosis. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Elasticity imaging techniques; Ascites; Child-Pugh grade