Liver Cirrhosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Liver Cirrhosis, including details on alcohol, treatment, drugs, effects, causes.

Non-invasive markers associated with liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Guha IN, Parkes J, Roderick PR, Harris S, Rosenberg WM

Liver Group, Division of Infection, Inflammation, and Repair, University of Southampton, Mail point 811, Level D, South Academic Block, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton S016 6YD, UK. guhaneil@hotmail.com

The diagnosis of fibrosis within liver disease is important for prognosis, stratification for treatment, and monitoring of treatment efficacy. The rising incidence and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has driven the search for accurate non-invasive tools of liver fibrosis within this condition. With the aid of a systematic review, we explore how the field has evolved from the discovery of simple blood parameters to panel markers of liver fibrosis. We will discuss the biological plausibility, limitations, potential uses, and emerging diagnostic techniques of non-invasive markers in this rapidly expanding field.

Published 18 October 2006 in Gut, 55(11): 1650-60.
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