Concordance in a world without a gold standard: a new non-invasive methodology for improving accuracy of fibrosis markers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Assessing liver fibrosis is traditionally performed by biopsy, an imperfect gold standard. Non-invasive techniques, liver stiffness measurements (LSM) and biomarkers [FibroTest(R) (FT)], are widely used in countries where they are available. The aim was to identify factors associated with LSM accuracy using FT as a non-invasive endpoint and vice versa.

Methods

The proof of concept was taken using the manufacturers recommendations for excluding patients at high risk of false negative/positive. The hypothesis was that the concordance between LSM and FT, would be improved by excluding high-risk patients. Thereafter, the impact of potential variability factors was assessed by the same methods. Liver biopsy and independent endpoints were used to validate the results.

SUBMITTER: Poynard T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2586659 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature