Abstract
Background: A test to narrow down patients who require esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with a high probability of having gastroesophageal varices (GEV) and a high-risk of liver-related events is an unmet need. Methods: The measurement of serum fibrosis markers and EGD was performed in 166 consecutive chronic hepatitis C patients. The correlation between the grades of GEV and fibrosis markers and the subsequent occurrence of liver-related and fibrosis markers were examined. Results: Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2 binding protein (WFA+–M2BP) levels increased according to the grade of GEV (3.4 (0.2–18.6) for no GEV, 7.9 (1.8–20.0) for small GEV, and 11.4 (4.0–20.0) for large GEV; p < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of the WFA+–M2BP was superior compared to other serum fibrosis markers, and WFA+–M2BP was an independent predictor of GEV in the multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the cumulative incidence of liver-related events at one year was 2.3% in patients with WFA+–M2BP levels ≤ 7.0 and 37.5% in patients with WFA+–M2BP levels > 7.0 (p < 0.001). WFA+–M2BP > 7.0 was a significant predictive factor for liver-related events (Hazard ratio 6.7, p = 0.004) independent of Child–Pughclass. Conclusions: WFA+–M2BP could be used to estimate the presence and grade of GEV and is linked to liver-related events in chronic hepatitis C patients.
Highlights
Portal hypertension is the most serious complication of chronic liver disease, and the gastroesophageal varices (GEV) caused by portal hypertension are present in 50% of liver cirrhosis patients [1]
We investigate the utility of serum WFA+–M2BP measurement in the estimation of the presence and the grade of GEV in patients with chronic hepatitis C by comparing WFA+–M2BP
We investigate the association of serum WFA+–M2BP levels with GEV or liver-related events in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Summary
Portal hypertension is the most serious complication of chronic liver disease, and the gastroesophageal varices (GEV) caused by portal hypertension are present in 50% of liver cirrhosis patients [1]. Small GEV can develop into large GEV at a rate of 8% a year [1]. It is recommended that patients undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) once every 1–2 years if they present small GEV. A test to narrow the patients who require EGD and have a high probability of suffering from GEV is an unmet need. A test to narrow down patients who require esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with a high probability of having gastroesophageal varices (GEV) and a high-risk of liver-related events is an unmet need. Methods: The measurement of serum fibrosis markers and EGD was performed in 166 consecutive chronic hepatitis C patients. Conclusions: WFA+ –M2BP could be used to estimate the presence and grade of GEV and is linked to liver-related events in chronic hepatitis C patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
