Platelets, aspartate aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor: laboratory panel for diagnosis of liver fibrosis stage

Aim. To study significance of platelet count and values of aspartate aminotransferase and tumor necrosis factor-α in the evaluation of the severity of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C and for the development of fibrosis index calculation formula.Material and Methods. The study included 70 patients with chronic hepatitis C end 30 healthy persons. Liver density was estimated by ultrasound elastography.Results. The correlation analysis revealed strong relationships between the ultrasound elastography findings of fibrosis stage and the platelet count (r=0.83), aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.83), and tumor necrosis factor-α (r=0.81). The optimal separation points of laboratory tests for fibrosis exclusion were identified as follows: platelet count>270×109 /L (test sensitivity=96.2%), aspartate aminotransferase level