Madeeha Nazar, Mudassar Iqbal, Fazal-ur Rahman, Rana Shakil Ahmed.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Hepatitis B Virus DNA Levels and ALT for Liver Fibrosis.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;20(4):251-3.

Background:To determine the diagnostic accuracy of combined serum HBV DNA and serum ALT levels for significant liver fibrosis in chronic Hepatitis B patients.Methods:In this cross sectional study confirmed cases of Hepatitis B were enrolled. Inclusion criteriawas age more than 20 and both genders, while those cases who hadhistory of Hep C or were on treatment of Hep B were excluded. Patients’samples were taken for HBV DNA and ALT to predict the presence of liver fibrosis. Results:Out of total 130 cases, there were 72 (54.5%) males with a mean age of 43.78± 10.28 years. The results of HBV DNA + ALT showed 51 (38.6%) patients to have fibrosis, whereas endoscopic diagnosis of esophageal varices was confirmed in 40 (30.3%) patients.Sensitivity of HBV DNA + ALT for diagnosis of fibrosis was found to be 55%, specificity 66.6%and diagnostic accuracy 65%. Conclusion: Combined HBV DNA & ALT values can be advised as predictor of liver fibrosis.

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