Description

Test Includes:

Fibrosis Score

Fibrosis Stage

Fibrosis Interpretation

Necroinflammat Act Score

Necroinflammat Act Grade

Necroinflammat Interpretation

Alpha-2-Macroglobulin

Haptoglobin

Apolipoprotein A1

Total Bilirubin GGT

ALT

The Liver Fibrosis, FibroTest-ActiTest Panel is a non-invasive way to evaluate liver health, specifically designed for individuals with Hepatitis C or B. This test panel assesses both FibroTest and ActiTest scores to detect the presence of liver fibrosis (scarring) and inflammation.

The scores are calculated based on factors such as the patient's age, gender, and concentrations of specific blood markers, including gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TB), alpha-2 macroglobulin, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A1, and for ActiTest, alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Both FibroTest and ActiTest provide scores on a scale from 0.0 to 1.0, which correlate with the Metavir scale, a system that indicates the severity of fibrosis or inflammation, helping clinicians understand the extent of liver damage and tailor treatment accordingly.

Deep Dive:

This comprehensive, non-invasive blood test that evaluates liver health by estimating the degree of fibrosis (scarring) and inflammation in the liver. This test panel is primarily used for patients with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and alcoholic liver disease. It serves as a valuable alternative to liver biopsy, allowing for the monitoring and assessment of liver disease without the need for an invasive procedure.

Components of the FibroTest-ActiTest Panel

The FibroTest-ActiTest Panel includes two primary assessments:

FibroTest:

Purpose: The FibroTest component evaluates liver fibrosis, a process where the liver develops scar tissue in response to repeated injury and inflammation. Over time, fibrosis can progress to cirrhosis, a more severe form of liver scarring that can impair liver function and lead to liver failure.

Methodology: FibroTest calculates a fibrosis score based on five biochemical markers in the blood: alpha-2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A1, bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). These markers correlate with liver health and provide insights into the extent of liver damage.

Scoring: The FibroTest score is standardized and presented as a number from 0 to 1, which correlates with the stages of fibrosis on a scale known as the Metavir Score. The stages range from F0 (no fibrosis) to F4 (cirrhosis). This score helps clinicians understand the severity of liver scarring, which is critical for assessing disease progression and treatment options.

ActiTest:

Purpose: The ActiTest measures the level of necroinflammatory activity in the liver. Necroinflammation involves the death of liver cells and inflammation, which can cause further liver damage. In chronic liver diseases, ongoing inflammation is a major driver of fibrosis, so understanding the level of inflammation is essential for comprehensive liver assessment.

Methodology: ActiTest uses some of the same markers as FibroTest, as well as the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme, which is commonly elevated when there is liver inflammation. The combination of these markers helps quantify the level of active inflammation.

Scoring: Similar to FibroTest, ActiTest provides a score from 0 to 1, which reflects the degree of inflammation (from minimal to severe). The score helps determine the current level of inflammatory activity in the liver, which can guide treatment decisions.

Advantages of FibroTest-ActiTest

The FibroTest-ActiTest Panel has several advantages over traditional liver assessment methods, such as liver biopsy:

Non-Invasive: Unlike liver biopsies, which involve extracting a tissue sample with a needle, the FibroTest-ActiTest only requires a simple blood draw. This makes it a safer, less painful, and more accessible option for patients.

Highly Accurate: The test provides reliable results that have been validated across various populations and liver diseases. While a biopsy samples a small portion of the liver, FibroTest-ActiTest evaluates markers throughout the blood, offering a broader view of liver health.

Accessible and Repeatable: Since the test is non-invasive, it can be repeated regularly to monitor disease progression or assess treatment effectiveness without subjecting patients to repeated invasive procedures.

Comprehensive Liver Health Insight: By assessing both fibrosis and inflammation, the FibroTest-ActiTest provides a well-rounded view of liver health, allowing for more precise staging and prognostic insights.

Clinical Utility

The FibroTest-ActiTest Panel is used widely in clinical practice to support decisions around the treatment and monitoring of chronic liver disease. For instance, in patients with hepatitis C or B, this panel helps determine the need for antiviral treatment and can guide clinicians on the intensity of monitoring. In conditions like NAFLD, where liver biopsy might be impractical for many patients, the FibroTest-ActiTest is an effective tool for identifying individuals at risk of progression to more severe liver disease.

By providing a clear picture of liver health without the need for invasive procedures, the FibroTest-ActiTest Panel empowers both patients and clinicians to better manage liver disease, track treatment efficacy, and make informed choices for long-term liver care.