Role of Fetuin-A as a Noninvasive Biomarker in Diagnosis and Assessment of Severity of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. The biopsy is the gold standard tool for disease diagnosis, but it is usually not accepted by the patients due to its invasive nature. The use of non-invasive biomarkers is now attaining a great interest in diagnosis and detection of the disease severity. Aim of the work: Investigate the role of fetuin A in diagnosis and assessment of severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients and methods: This a cross sectional study included 50 patients with NAFLD and 50 healthy control subjects. All cases were submitted to history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigation (including assessment of fetuin A), abdominal ultrasonography and fibroscan with controlled attenuated parameter (CAP scan). Results: The level of fetuin A was statistically significantly higher in the cases group as compared with the control group (1154.85±629.89 and 505.29±150.4 respectively) (p < 0.001). Fetuin-A had significant validity in prediction of NAFLD at cut off >702.5 with sensitivity 82%, specificity 90% and accuracy 86%.Conclusion: Fetuin A could be a potential marker in the diagnosis of NAFLD. Also, the marker was related to disease severity as it revealed a significant correlation with ultrasound grading and fibroscan with controlled attenuated parameter.