Correlação entre elastografia ultrassônica point shearwave e FIB-4 no estadiamento de fibrose em pacientes portadores de doença hepática esteatótica metabólica

Abstract

Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD is a prevalent global chronic liver condition associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Staging of hepatic fibrosis is crucial, but liver biopsy, while the gold standard, is invasive. This study evaluated non-invasive methods, such as Point Shearwave ultrasound elastography and the FIB-4 index, in 54 patients with MAFLD. The results revealed a strong correlation between FIB-4 and elastography (ρ = 0.858; p < 0.001), however, Bland-Altman analysis indicated that the methods are not interchangeable, especially in advanced fibrosis. It is concluded that FIB-4 is useful for initial screening, but elastography is crucial for accurate assessment of fibrosis, guiding clinical management and potentially reducing the need for biopsies.