Abstract

To establish a non-invasive scoring system in evaluation of chronic hepatitis C infection. Material and Methods: 30 Hepatitis C virus positive patients were evaluated by ultrasonography (USG) abdomen and transient elastography (TE). Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values were measured, recorded and correlated in all patients based on TE, and APRI with FIB4 score with grading of fibrosis and cirrhosis. Results: Out of 30 study subjects 53.3% were male and 46.7% were females. Based on fibroscan, 40% of subjects were having F1 and F4 grade each and 13.7% subjects were seen in F3 grade and 6.7% subjects were seen in F2 grade. Based on APRI scoring, fibrosis was seen in 43.3% of subjects, advanced fibrosis was seen in 20% of subjects and cirrhosis was seen in 36.7% of subjects. Based on FIB4 scoring, fibrosis was seen in 26.7% of subjects, advanced fibrosis was seen in 33.3% of subjects and cirrhosis was seen in 40% of subjects. APRI revealed advanced fibrosis in 6 whereas on fibroscan it was 2 advanced fibrosis, 2 cirrhosis and 2 fibrosis. Out of 11 cases of cirrhosis, on fibroscan, 8 found to be cirrhosis, 1 advanced fibrosis and 2 fibrosis. Out of 13 cases of fibrosis on APRI, 8 found to be fibrosis, 4 advanced fibrosis and 1 cirrhosis on fibroscan. Conclusion: Hepatitis C virus is notorious in its ability to persist in human liver following acute infection resulting in chronic hepatitis. Over years it leads to hepatic structural abnormalities resulting in fibrosis. When severe, it leads to cirrhosis which may be a precursor of HCC in CHC patients. Liver/hepatic biopsy, the mainstay for the detection of hepatic fibrosis and diagnosis of cirrhosis is not only invasive but is also traumatic and has chances of sampling errors.

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