This cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the significance of serum AST-platelet ratio index (APRI) for diagnosis of severity and extent of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B, and its use in monitoring progress of fibrosis and response to treatment in chronic hepatitis B infection. The study was done on a total of 50 biopsy-diagnosed hepatitis B patients. Every patient was diagnosed clinically and histopathologically. Only pre-treatment biopsies were used for the current study. Fibrosis was scored according to the Scheuer scheme. Random blood samples were drawn. Serum AST concentrations were estimated by Kinetic UV method and blood platelet count was estimated by automated cell counter method. Data were analyzed statistically by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and binary diagnostic rests using SPSS software version 12. The mean APRI was 0.48 t 0.28. The values of APRI showed a gradual rise in values with increasing stages of fibrosis. The AUROC for APRI were at 0.09 in mild fibrosis, 0.48 in moderate fibrosis, 0.77 in significant fibrosis. and 0.93 in cirrhosis. So. APRI may be used as a predictor of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in individuals with chronic hepatitis B infection.
Influence of Gender and Reproductive Factors on Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
