Abstract:

Purpose: Many noninvasive tests have been studied for the diagnosis and determining the liver fibrosis score. In this study, we aimed to research the correlation of platelet parameters and stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Materials and Methods: A total of 140 biopsy-proven naive CHB cases were included in the study. HBV-DNA level, liver enzymes and function tests, white blood cell count, platelet parametres, hemoglobin, histological activity index (HAI) and other routine biochemical parameters were tested. Patients were divided into two groups as F0-2 and F3-6 with Ishak scoring system according to the severity of liver fibrosis. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups F0-2 and F3-6 in terms of, platelet (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit (PCT). There was a significant difference between these two groups for HAI, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), age and lymphocyte (LYM) parameters. The formulation of (AST x Age x LYM) / √PLT)which was formed from many different combinations, was investigated in order to be used in predicting the liver fibrosis stage.  Conclusion: Although our new index is more sensitivitythan other noninvasive scoring systems, it is needed to have a larger sample size in patients with severe stage liver fibrosis in order to be used safely as a noninvasive marker.

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