The AGPR Index - novel non-invasive marker in Chronic Hepatitis B

Researchers from China developed a novel, simple, accurate, and noninvasive marker to predict Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis B patients. The research was published in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2022." 

Hepatitis B virus affects human health in varied ways. It can cause fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver leading to Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Due to its considerable necessity, researchers from China conducted a study to develop a Non-invasive, practical, and convenient means of predicting liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. 

As Liver biopsy is the gold standard, they established a new index with parameters like alkaline phosphatase(U/L) + gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (U/L)/platelet (109/L) (AGPR) to predict liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Along with this they also compared the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of AGPR, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio, aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, and FIB-4 and evaluated the accuracy of these routine laboratory indices in predicting liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. 

Results: 

• Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between AGPR and liver fibrosis stage (P < 0.001).
• In the training cohort, the AUROC of AGPR was 0.83 for predicting fibrosis (≥ F2), 0.84 for predicting extensive fibrosis (≥ F3), and 0.87 for predicting cirrhosis (F4).
• In the validation cohort, the AUROCs of AGPR to predict ≥ F2, ≥ F3, and F4 were 0.83, 0.83, and 0.84, respectively. 

Thus, the researchers concluded that for the prediction of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis B patients, the novel AGPR index should be used as it is a simple, accurate and noninvasive marker. 

To read the full article, click here: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i27.3503

Liao MJ, Li J, Dang W, Chen DB, Qin WY, Chen P, Zhao BG, Ren LY, Xu TF, Chen HS, Liao WJ. Novel index for the prediction of significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients in China. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28(27): 3503-3513.