Mixed
Noninvasive steatosis biomarkers (FLI, NAFLD-LFS, HSI, VAI, TyG) accurately diagnose the presence of hepatic steatosis but fail to quantify its severity, rendering them unsuitable for monitoring treatment-induced changes in liver fat.
Use these biomarkers (FLI, HSI, VAI, TyG) as a screening tool to identify who likely has fatty liver, especially if ultrasound isn't available. Do not use them to track if your diet or medication is working, as they cannot accurately measure how much fat is actually in the liver. They are good for 'rule-in' screening, not 'monitoring' treatment.
All five steatosis biomarkers can diagnose steatosis... However, their ability to quantify steatosis was poor: none of them distinguished between moderate and severe steatosis... this may limit their clinical utility.
Why this rating
Large cohort (n=324), biopsy-validated, head-to-head comparison of 5 biomarkers.
Source
Performance and limitations of steatosis biomarkers in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Larysa Fedchuk et al. · Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics · 2014
DOI 10.1111/apt.12963
More from this paper
- Fibrosis and inflammation significantly confound steatosis biomarkers, causing them to yield higher values in patients with advanced fibrosis or NASH even when the amount of liver fat is similar.Good
- Steatosis biomarkers (FLI, NAFLD-LFS, HSI, VAI, TyG) are strongly correlated with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) independently of the actual amount of liver fat.Good
Related findings · Mixed
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