Factors associated with significant liver fibrosis assessed using transient elastography in general population

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of significant liver fibrosis assessed using transient elastography(TE) and its predictors in asymptomatic general population.METHODS: A total of 159 subjects without chronic viral hepatitis who underwent comprehensive medical health check-up between January 2012 and July 2012 were prospectively recruited. Significant liver fibrosis was defined as liver stiffness value > 7.0 k Pa.RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index(BMI) of the study population(men 54.7%) was 56.0 years and 24.3 kg/m2. Among the study subjects, 11(6.9%) showed significant liver fibrosis. On univariate analysis, BMI, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, carotid intimal media thickness(IMT), number of calcified plaques on carotid ultrasound, and visceral fat area on computed tomography were significantly higher in subjects with significant liver fibrosis than in those without(all P < 0.05). However, on multivariate analysis, BMI [odds ratio(OR) =1.487; P = 0.045], ALT(OR = 1.078; P = 0.014), carotid IMT(OR = 3.244; P = 0.027), and the number of calcified carotid plaques(OR = 1.787; P = 0.031) were independent predictors of significant liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of significant liver fibrosis assessed using TE was 6.9% in apparently healthy subjects. High BMI, high ALT, thicker carotid IMT, and higher numbers of calcified carotid plaqueswere independently associated with the presence of significant liver fibrosis.