The Fibrosis-Cirrhosis Index (FCI) for Staging of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C

Yehia Younis,Ebada Said,Amr Eisa,Ibrahim El-Shawaf,Hosam Baiomy

doi:10.21608/aeji.2016.9625

Abstract

Background and study aim : Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major global health problem with its consequences of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of the progression of chronic hepatitis C, and its assessment can help determine therapy. Several indices are available to predict cirrhosis. The fibrosis – cirrhosis index (FCI) was proposed to be efficient for none invasive staging of liver fibrosis besides being simple and inexpensive. This study is designed to assess the accuracy of the fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI) for non-invasive staging of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C compared to the liver biopsy findings. Patients and methods: This study was conducted on 150 chronic hepatitis C patients who attended the Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases Department at Benha University Hospital and El Mansoura Health-Insurance Hospital. Another group of 30 healthy subjects (with negative hepatitis viral markers) represented the control group. Results: FCI was a relatively sensitive, specific and accurate marker of fibrosis. At a cutoff value of 0.19 it had a PPV of 82.5% for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis. Conclusion: FCI is a simple index that integrates ALP, bilirubin, albumin and platelet count for staging fibrosis from absent up to cirrhosis.

Highlights

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major global health problem with its consequences of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis up to hepatocellular carcinoma [1].In Egypt, Being a developing country, CHC represents a real medical and financial problem as it affects about 14.7 % of the Egyptian population making it one of the countries with highest prevalence worldwide [2].Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of the progression of CHC, and its assessment can help determine therapy [3].Liver biopsy is still considered the gold standard for staging fibrosis, it is invasive, expensive and not suitable for all patients who may get severe side effects that may lead to death [4]
fibrosis–cirrhosis index (FCI) is a simple index that integrates alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, albumin and platelet count for staging fibrosis from absent up to cirrhosis
It was supposed to be efficient for none invasive staging of liver fibrosis besides being simple and inexpensive [8]

Summary

Introduction

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major global health problem with its consequences of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis up to hepatocellular carcinoma [1].In Egypt, Being a developing country, CHC represents a real medical and financial problem as it affects about 14.7 % of the Egyptian population making it one of the countries with highest prevalence worldwide [2].Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of the progression of CHC, and its assessment can help determine therapy [3].Liver biopsy is still considered the gold standard for staging fibrosis, it is invasive, expensive and not suitable for all patients who may get severe side effects that may lead to death [4]. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major global health problem with its consequences of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis up to hepatocellular carcinoma [1]. Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of the progression of CHC, and its assessment can help determine therapy [3]. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major global health problem with its consequences of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of the progression of chronic hepatitis C, and its assessment can help determine therapy. The fibrosis – cirrhosis index (FCI) was proposed to be efficient for none invasive staging of liver fibrosis besides being simple and inexpensive. This study is designed to assess the accuracy of the fibrosiscirrhosis index (FCI) for non-invasive staging of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C compared to the liver biopsy findings

Objectives

Results

Conclusion