Research Article Details
Article ID: | A22782 |
PMID: | 24308774 |
Source: | Aliment Pharmacol Ther |
Title: | Systematic review with meta-analysis: non-invasive assessment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease--the role of transient elastography and plasma cytokeratin-18 fragments. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 15-40% of the general population. Some patients have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and progressive fibrosis, and would be candidates for monitoring and treatment. AIM: To review current literature on the use of non-invasive tests to assess the severity of NAFLD. METHODS: Systematic literature searching identified studies evaluating non-invasive tests of NASH and fibrosis using liver biopsy as the reference standard. Meta-analysis was performed for areas with adequate number of publications. RESULTS: Serum tests and physical measurements like transient elastography (TE) have high negative predictive value (NPV) in excluding advanced fibrosis in NAFLD patients. The NAFLD fibrosis score comprises of six routine clinical parameters and has been endorsed by current American guidelines as a screening test to exclude low-risk individuals. The pooled sensitivities and specificities for TE to diagnose F ≥ 2, F ≥ 3 and F4 disease were 79% and 75%, 85% and 85%, and 92% and 92% respectively. Liver stiffness measurement often fails in obese patients, but the success rate can be improved with the use of the XL probe. A number of biomarkers have been developed for the diagnosis of NASH, but few were independently validated. Serum/plasma cytokeratin-18 fragments have been most extensively evaluated and have a pooled sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 82% in diagnosing NASH. CONCLUSIONS: Current non-invasive tests are accurate in excluding advanced fibrosis in NAFLD patients, and may be used for initial assessment. Further development and evaluation of NASH biomarkers are needed. |
DOI: | 10.1111/apt.12569 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |