fibroscan values on nucs therapy

Aim:  To evaluate the association between liver stiffness measured by transient elastography (FibroScan) and the efficacy of long-term nucleoside analog (NA) treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods:  Study 1: Forty-four chronic HBV patients had liver stiffness measured by FibroScan and underwent liver biopsy. Study 2: Group A: 22 patients started NA treatment at entry and FibroScan was done annually for 3 years. Group B: 23 patients started NA treatment prior to pretreatment FibroScan measurement, and FibroScan was done for from 3 to 5 years after the start of NA treatment.

Results:  Study 1: The FibroScan values were significantly correlated with fibrosis stage (r = 0.672, P < 0.0001). Optimal cutoff of FibroScan values were 6.1 kPa for ≥ F1, 6.3 kPa for ≥ F2, 8.9 kPa for ≥ F3 and 12.0 kPa for F4. Study 2: For Group A, the baseline median FibroScan value was 8.2 kPa. FibroScan values significantly decreased annually for 3 years after the start of NA treatment (6.4 kPa, 5.8 kPa and 5.3 kPa at years 1, 2 and 3, respectively). For Group B, the FibroScan values did not significantly improve over the 3 years after the start of NA treatment.

Conclusions:  Liver stiffness, measured by transient elastography, of chronic hepatitis B patients treated with NA showed a rapid decline in the first 3 years followed by a more steady transition for from 3 to 5 years irrespective of long term virological effect.

[enolia]

Good info & study!
That is what we are all doing I guess. My first Fibroscan scan was 3.7 which is F0-F1, I wonder if this can go even lower next year!

[stef2011]

when i see these studies i point your attention to the weak effect of nucs on fibrosis, they are too slow, nucs plus antioxidants and healthy life are much more effective