The value of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta-based score in predicting liver fibrosis stage in Egyptian patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and viral liver disease

Abstract

Background and aim Many efforts have focused on platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) because of its association with hepatic stellate cell activation in liver fibrosis. Yet, its potential role as a diagnostic tool is essentially unexplored. This research was done to assess the value of the sPDGFRβ score in predicting liver fibrosis stages in Egyptian patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and viral liver disease. Patients and methods In this case–control study, patients with liver fibrosis/cirrhosis related to viral hepatitis and NAFLD were categorized according to the degree of fibrosis detected by Fibro-scan, and their circulating PDGFR levels were assessed. The diagnostic role of PDGFRβ was assessed and compared to previously validated clinical fibrosis scores fibrosis-4 (Fib-4), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio in both groups of patients and to NAFLD fibrosis score in NAFLD patients. Results Patients with advanced fibrosis showed the greatest rise in sPDGFR compared to those with absent or mild fibrosis. Combining sPDGFR-levels with platelet counts and albumin levels into a new diagnostic algorithm, sPDGFRβ thrombocyte albumin (PRTA) score, improved the accuracy of sPDGFR-levels in predicting fibrosis; the score generated a higher predictive value than Fib-4, APRI, and AST/ALT in NAFLD and viral liver disease, and higher than the NAFLD fibrosis score in the NAFLD group. Conclusion PRTA score is an effective method for diagnosing advanced liver fibrosis (NAFLD). sPDGFRβ could be used as a significant, highly sensitive noninvasive biomarker for liver fibrosis and has a good diagnostic value for significant liver fibrosis if integrated into PRTA score.