The role of serology, liver function tests and imaging in screening of primary sclerosing cholangitis: the HelPSCreen score

Abstract

Objecives At present, no sensitive or specific screening test exists for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC screening is mainly based on elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to produce a screening score based on laboratory tests to predict the likelihood of PSC. Moreover, we evaluated the additional roles of liver histology and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the diagnosis of PSC. Materials and methods The data of 385 patients who came for their first endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) to confirm PSC diagnosis were retrieved from the PSC registry of the Helsinki University Hospital. Overall, 69 patients referred for ERC with suspected PSC, in whom PSC was excluded by ERC or liver biopsy and MRCP, served as controls. We included patients’ demographics and 13 laboratory test results in the analysis. Variables with significant odds ratios were selected for multivariate logistic regression, which was used to create a novel scoring system for PSC. The presence of IBD, serum perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and ALP levels demonstrated the highest predictive value for PSC. A score was assigned for each statistically significant predictor. Results The optimal cut-off point for the score was ≥3, with an AUC of 0.83 (95%CI: 0.78–0.88). The addition of liver histology or MRCP findings to the score did not add a predictive value. Concusions In conclusion, we created a novel, simple scoring system to screen the probability of PSC. The HelPSCreen-score may help to assess the disease prevalence and to target further investigations in patients suspected of PSC.