Predicting fibrosis progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients using the FAST Score: A paired biopsy study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of various non-invasive scores for identifying the progression of hepatic fibrosis over time in patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 69 patients with NAFLD who had undergone two liver biopsies at an average interval of 21.3±9.7 months. Progression and regression of fibrosis were defined as an increase or decrease of at least one stage in fibrosis between the initial and follow-up biopsies, respectively. The Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4), NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS), Agile 3+, Agile 4, and FibroScan-AST (FAST) scores were calculated at the initial biopsy.

RESULTS: Comparison of paired biopsies revealed that 45% of participants (n=31) exhibited no change in fibrosis stages, 26% (n=18) experienced progression, and 29% (n=20) demonstrated regression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the FAST score as the only independent predictor of progressive fibrosis, with the odds increasing by 19% (95% CI: 8-38%, p<0.05) for each unit increase in the FAST score at the initial biopsy. No independent predictors for fibrosis regression were identified.

CONCLUSION: Higher baseline FAST scores were associated with an increased likelihood of fibrosis progression, independent of other variables. Thus, the FAST score could serve as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool for fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.