FIB-4 - non-invasive liver fibrosis assessment

FIB-4 is a non-invasive calculated index used to assess the likelihood of liver fibrosis. It is based on the patient's age and laboratory results, including AST, ALT, and platelet count. The FIB-4 index helps identify individuals at low or high risk of significant liver fibrosis without the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.

Indications

The test is recommended for:

• chronic liver diseases;
• metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD);
• non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD);
• chronic hepatitis B and C;
• alcohol-related liver disease;
• type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• obesity and metabolic syndrome;
• follow-up assessment of patients at risk of liver fibrosis.

Procedure

The index is calculated using a venous blood sample. The FIB-4 score is automatically generated based on AST, ALT, platelet count, and the patient's age.

Investigation Method

FIB-4 calculation algorithm based on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), platelet count, and patient age.

Advantages

• Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis risk.
• Uses routinely available laboratory parameters.
• Suitable for initial screening of at-risk individuals.
• Helps determine the need for further liver evaluation.
• Useful for monitoring liver disease progression over time.
   

Sources:

https://www.aasld.org/liver-fellow-network/core-series/clinical-pearls/spare-me-jab-noninvasive-assessment-patients-masld
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38708469/
https://easl.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease-A-patient-guideline-final.pdf