Correlation between FIB4, liver stiffness and metabolic parameters in patients with HIV and hepatitis C virus co-infection

Abstract

Background/aims: Assessment of liver fibrosis is crucial in HIV/HCV coinfected patients, in whom metabolic disturbances are frequent. Aims of this study were to analyse the association of two non-invasive liver fibrosis evaluation methods, liver stiffness measurement and FIB4, and their correlation with metabolic parameters.

Methods: This was a single centre cross-sectional study. All patients underwent biochemical and virological assessment, FIB4 score, HOMA and transient elastography.

Results: Seventy-five patients were evaluated. Liver stiffness values positively correlated with FIB4 (R = 0.62; p < 0.0001). By ROC curve analysis the optimal cut-off for liver stiffness to identify high FIB4 was calculated as 10.1 kPa. The area under the ROC curve was 0.78 (95% CI 0.78-0.94, sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 80.7%). Liver stiffness values positively correlated with HOMA score (R = 0.31; p = 0.006).

Conclusions: The combination of two non invasive tools provide a useful system for the assessment of fibrosis evolution in patients with HIV-HCV coinfection.