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 kPa. 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 plaques were independently associated with the presence of significant liver fibrosis. al