Thierry Poynard, Françoise Imbert-Bismut, Mona Munteanu, Djamila Messous, Robert P Myers, Dominique Thabut, Vlad Ratziu, Anne Mercadier, Yves Benhamou, Bernard Hainque
SUMMARY: BACKGROUND: Recent studies strongly suggest that due to the limitations and risks of biopsy, as well as the improvement of the diagnostic accuracy of biochemical markers, liver biopsy should no longer be considered mandatory in patients with chronic hepatitis C. In 2001, FibroTest ActiTest (FT-AT), a panel of biochemical markers, was found to have high diagnostic value for fibrosis (FT range 0.00-1.00) and necroinflammatory histological activity (AT range 0.00-1.00). The aim was to summarize the diagnostic value of these tests from the scientific literature; to respond to frequently asked questions by performing original new analyses (including the range of diagnostic values, a comparison with other markers, the impact of genotype and viral load, and the diagnostic value in intermediate levels of injury); and to develop a system of conversion between the biochemical and biopsy estimates of liver injury...
September 23, 2004: Comparative Hepatology