Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease Research Articles

Understanding advanced cystic fibrosis liver disease through genetic variation: Where do the pathways lead and how much further must we go?

Understanding advanced cystic fibrosis liver disease through genetic variation: Where do the pathways lead and how much further must we go?

SHIFTing goals in cystic fibrosis—managing extrapulmonary disease in the era of CFTR modulator therapy; Proceedings of the International Shaping Initiatives and Future Trends (SHIFT) Symposium

AbstractBackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) is a life‐shortening multisystem genetic disease. Although progressive pulmonary disease is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality, improvements in treatment for CF‐related lung disease, with associated increase in longevity, have increased the prevalence of extrapulmonary manifestations1.MethodsTo discuss these issues, a multidisciplinary meeting of international leaders and experts in the field was convened in November 2021 at the Shaping Initiatives and Future Trends Symposium with the goal of highlighting shifting management paradigms in CF. The main topics covered were: (1) nutrition and obesity, (2) exocrine pancreas, (3) CF‐related diabetes, (4) CF liver disease, (5) CF‐related bone disease, and (6) post‐lung transplant care. This document summarizes the proceedings, highlighting the key priorities and important research questions that were discussed.ResultsImproved life expectancy, the advent of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators, and the increasing appreciation of the heterogeneity or spectrum of disease are leading to a shift in management for patients with cystic fibrosis. Care should be individualized to ensure that increased longevity is accompanied by improved extra‐pulmonary care and reduced morbidity.

Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor use in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Advanced Liver Disease

BackgroundCystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy extends the life expectancy of people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). However, CFTR modulators have not been well studied in patients with cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD), specifically those with advanced liver disease with portal hypertension. The purpose of this report is to describe the use of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) in pediatric CF patients with advanced CFLD. MethodsThis retrospective case series included PwCF < 18 years old with baseline advanced CFLD initiated on ETI. ResultsEleven PwCF and advanced CFLD were treated with ETI; six started a reduced dose regimen. No patient required treatment interruption and four patients received dose changes related to increase in transaminase and/or bilirubin elevations. Mean (SD) change in ppFEV1 from prior to ETI to highest value during therapy was 14.27 % (4.25) (p = 0.007). When evaluating the group as whole, AST decreased from baseline to last reported –15.18 (23.23) units/L (p = 0.054) and ALT slightly increased 0.73 (39.13) units/L (p = 0.96). Bilirubin increased minimally overall for patients with mean change from baseline of 0.83 (1.33) mg/dL [range –0.5–3] (p = 0.17). A model for time on ETI showed a significant decrease in AST over time of 0.955 per month of ETI but no other liver biochemistries were significant. No patient experienced decompensation of CFLD. ConclusionETI therapy in pediatric CF patients with advanced CFLD can be beneficial in improving pulmonary and nutritional outcomes without negative impact on liver biochemistries or hepatic outcomes. Close monitoring is recommended to ensure safety and tolerability.

Genetic variation in severe cystic fibrosis liver disease is associated with novel mechanisms for disease pathogenesis.

It is not known why severe cystic fibrosis (CF) liver disease (CFLD) with portal hypertension occurs in only ~7% of people with CF (pwCF). We aimed to identify genetic modifiers for severe CFLD to improve understanding of disease mechanisms. Whole genome sequencing was available in 4,082 pwCF with pancreatic insufficiency (n=516 with severe CFLD; n=3,566 without CFLD). We tested ~15.9 million SNPs for association with severe CFLD versus no-CFLD, using pre-modulator clinical phenotypes including: 1) genetic variant (SERPINA1; Z-allele) previously associated with severe CFLD; 2) candidate SNPs (n=205) associated with non-CF liver diseases; 3) genome-wide association study (GWAS) of common/rare SNPs; 4) transcriptome-wide association (TWAS); and 5) gene-level and pathway analyses. The Z-allele was significantly associated with severe CFLD (p=1.1×10-4). No significant candidate SNPs were identified. GWAS identified genome-wide significant SNPs in 2 loci and 2 suggestive loci. These 4 loci contained genes [significant, PKD1 (p=8.05×10-10) and FNBP1 (p=4.74×10-9); suggestive, DUSP6 (p=1.51×10-7) and ANKUB1 (p=4.69×10-7)] relevant to severe CFLD pathophysiology. TWAS identified 3 genes [CXCR1 (p=1.01×10-6), AAMP (p=1.07×10-6), and TRBV24 (p=1.23×10-5)] involved in hepatic inflammation and innate immunity. Gene-ranked analyses identified pathways enriched in genes linked to multiple liver pathologies. These results identify loci/genes associated with severe CFLD that point to disease mechanisms involving hepatic fibrosis, inflammation and innate immune function, vascular pathology, intracellular signaling, actin cytoskeleton and tight junction integrity, and mechanisms of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. These discoveries will facilitate mechanistic studies and the development of therapeutics for severe CFLD.

Alterations in the fecal microbiota in patients with advanced cystic fibrosis liver disease after 6 months of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor

BackgroundCystic fibrosis associated liver disease (CFLD) carries a significant disease burden with no effective preventive therapies. According to the gut-liver axis hypothesis for CFLD pathogenesis, dysbiosis and increased intestinal inflammation and permeability permit pathogenic bacterial translocation into the portal circulation, leading to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Evaluating the effect of CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) modulation with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) may help determine the role of CFTR in CFLD and increase understanding of CFLD pathogenesis, which is critical for developing therapies. We aimed to characterize the fecal microbiota in participants with CF with and without advanced CFLD (aCFLD) before and after ETI. MethodsThis is an ancillary analysis of stool samples from participants ages ≥12 y/o enrolled in PROMISE (NCT04038047). Included participants had aCFLD (cirrhosis with or without portal hypertension, or non-cirrhotic portal hypertension) or CF without liver disease (CFnoLD). Fecal microbiota were defined by shotgun metagenomic sequencing at baseline and 1 and 6 months post-ETI. ResultsWe analyzed 93 samples from 34 participants (11 aCFLD and 23 CFnoLD). Compared to CFnoLD, aCFLD had significantly higher baseline relative abundances of potential pathogens Streptococcus salivarius and Veillonella parvula. Four of 11 aCFLD participants had an initially abnormal fecal calprotectin that normalized 6 months post-ETI, correlating with a significant decrease in S. salivarius and a trend towards decreasing V. parvula. ConclusionsThese results support an association between dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation in CFLD with improvements in both post-ETI, lending further support to the gut-liver axis in aCFLD.

Towards a Standardized Classification of the Hepatobiliary Manifestations in Cystic Fibrosis (CFHBI): A Joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN Position Paper.

The broad spectrum of hepatobiliary involvement in cystic fibrosis (CF) has been commonly referred to as cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD). However, differences in the definitions of CFLD have led to variations in reported prevalence, incidence rates, and standardized recommendations for diagnosis and therapies. Harmonizing the description of the spectrum of hepatobiliary involvement in all people with CF (pwCF) is deemed essential for providing a reliable account of the natural history, which in turn supports the development of meaningful clinical outcomes in patient care and research. Recognizing this necessity, The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) commissioned and tasked a committee to develop and propose a systematic classification of the CF hepatobiliary manifestations to increase uniformity, accuracy, and comparability for clinical, registry, and research purposes. This report describes the committee's combined expert position statement on hepatobiliary involvement in CF, which has been endorsed by NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN. We recommend using CFHBI (Cystic Fibrosis Hepato-Biliary Involvement) as the updated term to describe and classify all hepatobiliary manifestations in all pwCF. CFHBI encompasses the current extensive spectrum of phenotypical, clinical, or diagnostic expressions of liver involvement observed in pwCF. We present a schematic categorization of CFHBI, which may also be used to track and classify the changes and development of CFHBI in pwCF over time. The proposed classification for CFHBI is based on expert consensus and has not been validated for clinical practice and research purposes. Achieving validation should be an important aim for future research.

Alterations in lipids after initiation of highly effective modulators in people with cystic fibrosis

Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be changing in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) with widespread use of highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT). We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who had lipids checked before and after initiation of ivacaftor or elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. We hypothesized that HEMT negatively impacts lipids (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], TC/HDL ratio). 41 adult patients were included. Paired t-tests showed statistically significant increases in TC (mean difference 16.3 mg/dL, p = 0.007, n = 40), LDL (mean difference 17.1 mg/dL, p < 0.001, n = 35), and TC/HDL ratio (mean difference 0.40, p = 0.014, n = 39) after HEMT initiation. HDL was unchanged (mean difference -1.5 mg/dL, p = 0.69, n = 39). Linear mixed models showed CF liver disease was associated with significantly blunted changes in TC and LDL. Family history of CVD risk factors was associated with significantly accentuated increases in TC and LDL. These data suggest a role for more lipid screening in pwCF.

Intrahepatic Cholangiolitis in Cystic Fibrosis (ICCF): An Under-Appreciated Cause of Persistent Cholestasis in Infancy.

Liver histology in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) and persistent cholestasis is seldom reported in detail. We extend previous observation of a distinctive intrahepatic cholangiopathy (ICCF) to 3 additional infants homozygous for CFTR pathological variants and a fourth infant with a heterozygous CFTR variant, summarizing our experience in 10 infants with CFTR variants and persistent cholestasis. Cholangiograms demonstrate abnormal extrahepatic ducts in 2 infants with CF, 1 with uniform dilatation interpreted as a choledochal cyst and the other with narrow patent ducts. Liver histology in 3 CF homozygotes had prominent ductular reaction with a focally destructive cholangiolitis (inflammation of small bile ducts). The CFTR heterozygote had generalized portal edema with ductular reaction and paucity but no cholangitis. Cholestasis slowly subsided in all infants. ICCF is characterized by severe ductular reaction, prominent cholangiocyte injury, and multifocal necrotizing cholangiolitis. Local aggregates of portal ceroid might suggest previous bile leakage from damaged ducts. ICCF in liver biopsies from infants with cystic fibrosis and persistent cholestasis is unrelated to the specific CFTR genotype. Liver biopsy findings and intraoperative cholangiogram help rule out biliary atresia. ICCF is an early manifestation of CF, a likely prototype for pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis liver disease later in life.

Cystic fibrosis liver disease in the post-modulator era.

Highly effective modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function have had dramatic impact on pulmonary and nutritional outcomes in persons with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). The impact on liver disease in pwCF was not the focus of the registration trials. The purpose of this review is to assess the current literature on the impact of HEMT on liver disease, progression, regression, and safety. Short-term studies of HEMT in pwCF have shown that there is no significant impact on the frequency of liver enzyme abnormalities. There is no evidence for significant improvement in liver enzymes over time on HEMT therapy. There is conflicting data on improvement in liver fibrosis determined by fibrosis indices (APRI and GPR) or elastography. One study showed improvement, and another showed worsening in younger (<20 years old) pwCF. There are reports of resolution or improvement in hepatic steatosis. There are rare reports of severe acute hepatitis and one report of hepatic decompensation leading to liver transplantation due to drug-induced liver disease. HEMT have not been shown to have a significant impact on improving liver disease or preventing fibrosis with short-term therapy. Longer studies are needed to assess the impact of HEMT on liver disease in pwCF.

Effects of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor on liver fibrosis markers in adults with cystic fibrosis

BackgroundThere are limited studies to date on the effects of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (E/T/I) on markers of liver fibrosis in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aims to analyse changes in makers of liver fibrosis before and after initiation of E/T/I in CF adults. MethodsOutcome measures of liver fibrosis, including liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using FibroScan, AST-to-platelet-ratio index (APRI) and gamma-GT-to-platelet-ratio (GPR) were available in 74 CF adults following initiation of E/T/I. This was compared to historical data collected in 2018 prior to UK availability of E/T/I. ResultsThe median duration of E/T/I therapy at the time liver fibrosis markers were repeated was 21 (IQR: 17–25) months. There was an increase in APRI from historical measurement to follow-up but no change in LSM or GPR. There were no differences in change in fibrosis markers according to CF liver disease (CFLD) status, although those with a raised LSM at baseline (>6.8 kPa) (n = 14) had a significant reduction in LSM from historical measurement to follow-up versus those with a normal historical value (-3.3 kPa vs 0.25 kPa, p < 0.01). ConclusionsApart from APRI, we found no changes in liver fibrosis outcomes after initiation of E/T/I in adults with CF. Those with a historical diagnosis of CFLD had no significant worsening or improvement of liver fibrosis markers. We did observe a reduction in LSM in those with liver nodularity, with an initial highest result suggesting a potential positive treatment effect of E/T/I in this category of those with severe CFLD.

1242 Clinical Outcomes in Combined Lung-Liver Transplants vs Isolated Lung-Transplants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background The combined lung-liver transplant is an infrequent but established therapy for patients with end-stage lung and liver disease. Recent evidence suggests that the liver may reduce rates of graft rejection and increase overall graft survival for cotransplanted organs. Method To establish a comprehensive summary of safety and efficacy data and explore whether there may be a tolerogenic effect conferred by the liver in combined lung-liver transplants (CLuLi), we systematically searched 4 databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, OVID Transplant library) for all studies comparing clinical outcomes between CLuLi and lung transplants alone (LTA). Key outcomes included overall survival, acute rejection and length of hospital stay. Results 3 observational studies were deemed eligible for inclusion including a total of 21, 608 transplant patients- 86 CLuLi and 21,522 LTA. The most common indications for CLuLi included cystic fibrosis (50%) and noncholestatic liver disease (23%). 1- and 5-yr survival rates for CLuLi ranged from 80-91% and 59-84%, respectively, and were not significantly different to LTA in any of the studies. Our random effects inverse variance meta-analysis demonstrated an insignificant difference in hospital stay length for CLuLi compared to LTA (95% CI -8.10 to +19.52, p = 0.42). 1 study reported on acute rejection and found comparable rates between CLuLi and LTA (40% vs 46%). Conclusions Overall, this systematic review has shown CLuLi transplants to be at least as safe and effective as lung transplants alone. At present, there is insufficient quality evidence to evaluate the tolerogenic effect of the liver in CLuLi transplants.

WTP2.12 Clinical outcomes in combined lung-liver transplants vs isolated lung-transplants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The combined lung-liver transplant is an infrequent but established therapy for patients with end-stage lung and liver disease. Recent evidence suggests that the liver may reduce rates of graft rejection and increase overall graft survival for cotransplanted organs. To establish a comprehensive summary of safety and efficacy data and explore whether there may be a tolerogenic effect conferred by the liver in combined lung-liver transplants (CLuLi), we systematically searched 4 databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, OVID Transplant library) for all studies comparing clinical outcomes between CLuLi and lung transplants alone (LTA). The primary outcome for this study was overall survival at 1 and 5 years. 3 observational studies were deemed eligible for inclusion including a total of 21, 608 transplant patients- 86 CLuLi and 21,522 LTA. The most common indications for CLuLi included cystic fibrosis (50%) and noncholestatic liver disease (23%). 1- and 5-yr survival rates for CLuLi ranged from 80-91% and 59-84%, respectively, and were not significantly different to LTA in any of the studies. A random effects inverse variance meta-analysis demonstrated an insignificant difference in hospital stay length for CLuLi compared to LTA (95% CI -8.10 to +19.52, p=0.42). 1 study reported on acute rejection and found comparable rates between CLuLi and LTA (40% vs 46%). Overall, our study has shown CLuLi transplants to be at least as safe and effective as lung transplants alone. At present, there is insufficient quality evidence to evaluate the tolerogenic effect of the liver in CLuLi transplants.

Cystic fibrosis liver disease in children - A review of our current understanding.

Cystic fibrosis is the second most common genetic disease in infancy. It is the result of a mutated channel protein, the CFTR, which secretes chloride ions, fluidifying secretions. Recent improvements in the treatment have increased life expectancy in these patients. Nevertheless, liver involvement remains the third cause of death. Unfortunately, our understating of the physiopathology is still deficient. Biliary obstruction secondary to the presence of thick secretions is considered to lead to cirrhosis. However, treatment with ursodeoxycolic acid has not changed the natural history. Furthermore, the presence of portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis cannot be explained. Recently, the role of CFTR as modulator of immune tolerance has been proposed, which could explain the presence of a persistent portal inflammation leading to fibrosis, and the gut-liver axis would also have a role in disease presentation and progression.

Prospective study of quantitative liver MRI in cystic fibrosis: feasibility and comparison to PUSH cohort ultrasound.

Pediatric radiologists can identify a liver ultrasound (US) pattern predictive of progression to advanced liver disease. However, reliably discriminating these US patterns remains difficult. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide an objective measure of liver disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). The purpose of this study was to determine if quantitative MRI, including MR elastography, is feasible in children with CF and to determine how quantitative MRI-derived metrics compared to a research US. A prospective, multi-institutional trial was performed evaluating CF participants who underwent a standardized MRI. At central review, liver stiffness, fat fraction, liver volume, and spleen volume were obtained. Participants whose MRI was performed within 1 year of US were classified by US pattern as normal, homogeneous hyperechoic, heterogeneous, or nodular. Each MRI measure was compared among US grade groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Ninety-three participants (51 females [54.8%]; mean 15.6 years [range 8.1-21.7 years]) underwent MRI. MRelastography was feasible in 87 participants (93.5%). Fifty-eight participants had an US within 1 year of MRI. In these participants, a nodular liver had significantly higher stiffness (P<0.01) than normal or homogeneous hyperechoic livers. Participants with a homogeneous hyperechoic liver had a higher fat fraction (P<0.005) than others. MRelastography is feasible in children with CF. Participants with a nodular pattern had higher liver stiffness supporting the US determination of advanced liver disease. Participants with a homogeneous hyperechoic pattern had higher fat fractions supporting the diagnosis of steatosis.

The natural history of cystic fibrosis liver disease a prospective cohort study

BackgroundOur understanding of the natural history of cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD) is limited, leading to uncertainty for patients their families and clinicians when liver abnormalities are identified. Aimto determine the incidence of CFLD, identify risk factors and document the natural history of liver abnormalities in cystic fibrosis (CF). MethodsThe Irish longitudinal study of CFLD (ILSCFLD) prospectively enrolled 95% of children with CF in 2007. Their liver disease status was classified as (i) advanced liver disease with portal hypertension (CFLD). (ii) nonspecific cystic fibrosis liver disease (NSCFLD) (iii) no liver disease (NoLD) Results480/522 (91.9%) children were followed for a median 8.53 years IQR 1.28, of whom 35 (7.29%) had CFLD, 110 (22.9%) NSCFLD and 335 (69.79%) had NoLD. At follow-up 28/445 (6.29%) participants without CFLD at baseline, progressed to CFLD (Incidence 7.51/1000 person years (Pyrs) (95%CI 4.99–10.86). Of these 25/28(89.28%) were <10 years. No participant >10 years of age without clinical or radiological evidence of liver disease at baseline progressed to CFLD.During follow-up 18/35(51.43%) participants with CFLD died or received a transplant, MTx rate 7.75/100 Pyrs (95%CI 4.59–12.25) compared to NSCFLD 2.33/100 Pyrs (95%CI 1.44–3.56) and NoLD 1.13/100 Pyrs (95%CI 0.77–1.59). CFLD was an independent risk factor for mortality in CF. Children with CFLD also had a shorter life expectancy. ConclusionThe incidence of CFLD was highest in children under10 years. Children over10 years, with normal hepatic function did not develop CFLD. Research to identify the cause and improve outcome should focus on young children.

THU-298 - Beneficial effect of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators on adults with cystic fibrosis liver disease

THU-298 - Beneficial effect of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators on adults with cystic fibrosis liver disease

P284 Assessing the potential of the FIB-4 index as a screening tool for advanced liver fibrosis in an adult cystic fibrosis population

Cystic fibrosis related liver disease (CFLD) affects a small proportion of people with CF (PWCF) but is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. The development of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators has led to dramatic improvements in life expectancy for PWCF. Consequently, there has been a significant emergence of liver dysfunction complicating the clinical course of the disease. The FIB-4 index has been shown to be an accurate, non invasive method for assessing liver fibrosis in non CF liver disease. We aimed to assess whether the FIB-4 index could reliably exclude significant fibrosis in an adult population of PWCF.

P287 Characterisation of CFTR mutations in people with cystic fibrosis and severe liver disease who are not eligible for CFTR modulators

CFTR modulators (CFTR-Ms) have had a dramatic impact on CF outcomes in patients with genotype eligible for such treatment. However, data in those with CF-liver disease (CFLD) are limited. CFTR-Ms may improve CFLD natural history and reduce/prevent its progression, but this will take time to demonstrate. Meanwhile there remains an unmet need for patients with genotypes not eligible for CFTR-Ms, particularly those with evolving cirrhosis and portal hypertension, which are associated with poorer prognosis. Our aim was therefore to quantify this unmet need in a large cohort of well characterised patients with CF.

Future Comorbidities in an Aging Cystic Fibrosis Population.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease due to mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. With the advent of highly effective modulator therapy targeting the abnormal CFTR protein, people with CF (PwCF) are living more than 40 years longer than the pre-modulator therapy era. As a result, PwCF are facing new challenges of managing similar comorbidities affecting the average aging population. While CF is notoriously identified as a chronic respiratory disease, the multisystem presence of the CFTR gene can contribute to other organ-related complications acutely, but also heighten the likelihood of chronic conditions not routinely encountered in this cohort. In this overview, we will focus on risk factors and epidemiology for PwCF as they relate to cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, CF-related diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, CF-liver disease, bone health and malignancy. With increased awareness of diseases affecting a newly aging CF population, a focus on primary and secondary prevention will be imperative to implementing a comprehensive care plan to improve long-term morbidity and mortality.

Heterogeneous liver on research ultrasound identifies children with cystic fibrosis at high risk of advanced liver disease

BackgroundThis study examines whether heterogeneous (HTG) pattern on liver ultrasound (US) identifies children at risk for advanced cystic fibrosis liver disease (aCFLD). MethodsProspective 6-year multicenter case-controlled cohort study. Children with pancreatic insufficient cystic fibrosis (CF) aged 3–12 years without known cirrhosis underwent screening US. Participants with HTG were matched (by age, Pseudomonas infection status and center) 1:2 with participants with normal (NL) US pattern. Clinical status and laboratory data were obtained annually and US bi-annually for 6 years. Primary endpoint was development of nodular (NOD) US pattern consistent with aCFLD. Results722 participants underwent screening US, with 65 HTG and 592 NL. Final cohort included 55 HTG and 116 NL with ≥ 1 follow-up US. ALT, AST, GGTP, FIB-4, GPR and APRI were higher, and platelets were lower in HTG compared to NL. HTG had a 9.5-fold increased incidence (95% confidence interval [CI]:3.4, 26.7, p<0.0001, 32.7% vs 3.4%) of NOD versus NL. HTG had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 75% for subsequent NOD. Negative predictive value of a NL US for subsequent NOD was 96%. Multivariate logistic prediction model that included baseline US, age, and log(GPR) improved the C-index to 0.90 compared to only baseline US (C-index 0.78). Based on survival analysis, 50% of HTG develop NOD after 8 years. ConclusionsResearch US finding of HTG identifies children with CF with a 30–50% risk for aCFLD. A score based on US pattern, age and GPR may refine the identification of individuals at high risk for aCFLD. Clinical Trial RegistrationProspective Study of Ultrasound to Predict Hepatic Cirrhosis in CF: NCT 01,144,507 (observational study, no consort checklist)