for Health Care Providers
Summary Table - Hepatitis C
Back to Assessment of Liver Fibrosis
| Test | Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| APRI | Calculator using routine blood tests | Highly convenient Reasonable sensitivity and specificity for predicting cirrhosis | Not able to differentiate stages of fibrosis |
| FIB-4 | Calculator using routine blood tests and age | Highly convenient Reasonable sensitivity and specificity for predicting cirrhosis | Not able to differentiate stages of fibrosis |
| FibroSure | Blood test - panel of indirect biomarkers | Moderately convenient Reasonable sensitivity and specificity for predicting cirrhosis and predicting no fibrosis Not FDA approved | Cost Low sensitivity and specificity for intermediate stages of fibrosis |
| FibroScan | Transient elastography, measure of liver stiffness. Ultrasound-based technique | Moderately convenient if facility has the equipment
High sensitivity and specificity Determines specific stages of fibrosis Reproducible Rapid results Easy to learn technique | Cost Few facilities have the equipment Less accurate in obese patients |
| ARFI | Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse - measure of liver stiffness. Ultrasound-based technique | Moderately convenient if facility has the equipment High sensitivity and specificity Determines specific stages of fibrosis Reproducible Rapid results Easy to learn technique | Cost Few facilities have the equipment |
| Biopsy | Direct tissue sampling | Direct sampling, gold standard Able to differentiate other liver diseases | Cost Risk of complications Patient adverse to the procedure Risks to patients with cirrhosis |
