New insights on portal hypertension’s screening in people with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease(CFLD)is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality affecting people with cystic fibrosis(PwCF)(1).Approximately 40%of PwCF have liver involvement,defined as the existence of any hepatic manifestation,including biochemical liver abnormalities(2).In a small percentage of these patients,liver involvement may ultimately result in the development of portal hypertension(PH)and its complications.The presence of at least two of the following variables-abnormal liver tests,abnormal liver ultrasound(US),abnormal physical examination with hepatosplenomegaly or histologic evidence of liver disease-were historically the basis for the European criteria to define CFLD(3).Nevertheless,the emergence of a new approach for liver assessment as liver elastography has led to the proposal of its inclusion in new diagnostic criteria(4).