European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

USING THE NONINVASIVE FIBROSIS SCORES AS A PROGNOSTIC MARKER FOR VARICES NEEDING TREATMENT IN ADVANCED LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Dr. Malallah Akreem Ammer*, Dr. Laith Hikmetmihsun and Dr. Yassir Sabeeh

ABSTRACT

The size and bleeding of noninvasive assessment of esophageal varices (EVs) may reduce endoscopic burden, cost and drawbacks. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of noninvasive fibrosis scores (AAR, APRI, FIB-4, King and VITRO scores) to predict the presence of EVs and high-risk varices needing treatment (VNT) in HCV-related liver cirrhosis of Iraqi patients. This prospective study included assessing 120 HCV-related advanced compensated cirrhotic patients with no history of bleeding who underwent screening endoscopy for EVs. AAR, APRI, FIB-4, King and VITRO scores. Results of our study showed that esophageal varices were found in 94 patients (78.3%) and VNT in 73 patients (60.8%). Apart from AAR, all scores demonstrated statistically significant correlations with the presence and size of EVs. Noninvasive fibrosis scores can predict the presence of EVs and VNT. VITRO score was the best predictor with higher accuracy for clinical applicability than studied scores.

Keywords: Esophageal Varices, Hepatitis C, Liver Cirrhosis, VITRO Scores.