Dataset Information

Accuracy of the ultrasound attenuation coefficient for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The accurate detection and quantification of hepatic steatosis using a noninvasive method are important for the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the accuracy of the ultrasound-measured attenuation coefficient (AC) in the evaluation of hepatic steatosis.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for prospective studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of AC for assessing hepatic steatosis. The meta-analytic pooled sensitivity and specificity of AC for any grade of steatosis (S≥1) and advanced steatosis (S≥2) were estimated using a bivariate random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to investigate the causes of heterogeneity among studies.

Results

Thirteen studies including 1,509 patients were identified. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of AC for S≥1 were 76% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73% to 80%; I2=43%) and 84% (95% CI, 77% to 89%; I2=74%), respectively, while for S≥2 they were 87% (95% CI, 83% to 91%; I2=0%) and 79% (95% CI, 75% to 83%; I2=59%), respectively. Study heterogeneity was associated with body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of steatosis or significant fibrosis.

Conclusion

AC can be clinically useful for assessing hepatic steatosis, with good overall diagnostic performance. The data reported in the published literature differed according to BMI and the prevalence of steatosis or significant fibrosis, and careful interpretation with consideration of these factors might be needed.

SUBMITTER: Jang JK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8696131 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundUltrasound attenuation analysis (USAT) is a type of novel ultrasound attenuation imaging that can be used to detect hepatic steatosis based on the attenuation coefficient. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy for assessing the severity of liver steatosis by USAT using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) as a reference in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infections.MethodsIn total, 326 consecutive subjects with or without chronic liver diseases were enrolled in this study who underwent CAP examination and USAT to evaluate hepatic steatosis from October 2022 to November 2022 at The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Hepatic steatosis stage (S) was determined by CAP according to the following cut-off values recommended by the manufacturer: S ≥ S1 (≥11%, mild): 238 dB/m; S ≥ S2 (≥34%, moderate): 259 dB/m; and S ≥ S3 (≥67%, severe): 292 dB/m, and thus the optimal cut-off values for the USAT were acquired. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for the categories of steatosis were used to measure the diagnostic accuracy of USAT.ResultsA total of 296 patients were recruited, including 101 (34.1%) patients with NAFLD, 172 (58.1%) with CHB and the remainder were healthy control subjects (7.8%). We used the CAP as the reference standard and found that the USAT increased gradually as the stage of steatosis increased (P<0.001). A strong positive correlation was found between USAT and CAP (r=0.787, P<0.001). In the whole population, the AUROCs of the USAT for S ≥ S1, S ≥ S2 and S ≥ 3 were 0.89, 0.90, and 0.90, respectively, and the cut-off values according to the Youden index for S ≥ S1, S ≥ S2, and S ≥ 3 were 0.62, 0.66, and 0.72 dB/cm/MHz, respectively. Our study showed that the USAT had a good ability to detect hepatic steatosis in NAFLD and CHB patients.ConclusionsUSAT had a strong association with CAP and a good diagnostic capability in the detection of hepatic steatosis, which appears to be a promising tool for the non-invasive detection and quantification of hepatic steatosis.