Issue 4/2024
Gledjarska, R., Konakchieva, M., Milchev, A.
Gastroenterology Clinic, Second Abdominal Surgery Clinic,
Military Medical Academy – Sofia
The evaluation of the degree of liver fibrosis is essential to define prognosis and therapeutic decision making in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Taking into account the limitations of liver biopsy, there is an urgent need to introduce non-invasive serum markers for fibrosis. Ideal serum markers should be specific for the liver, easy to perform and independent to inflammation and fibrosis in other organs. Several noninvasive laboratory tests have been used to assess liver fibrosis in patients with alcoholic liver disease, including the hyaluronic acid, FibroTest, FibrometerA, Hepascore, FIB4, Forns and APRI indexes. Therefore, the use of biomarkers may reduce the need for liver biopsy and permit an earlier treatment of alcoholic patients.
Address for correspondence:
Gledjarska, R.
Gastroenterology Clinic, Second Abdominal
Surgery Clinic, Military Medical Academy – Sofia
3, „Sv. Georgi Sofiysky”, Str.
1606, Sofia