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Multiparametric MRI and LIF score predict patient outcomes in chronic liver disease

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was accurate for calculating the Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis score in patients with chronic liver disease, according to published findings in the Journal of Hepatology.

“We provide the first evidence that rapid, noninvasive multiparametric MRI technology that quantifies [Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis] score in a standardized test, may provide valuable prognostic information in patients with chronic liver disease,” the researchers wrote.

Researchers recruited 112 patients with chronic liver disease for MRI and analyzed their data for any development of liver-related clinical events/outcomes. The median follow-up was 27 months.

Overall, 35% of patients had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and 30% had chronic viral hepatitis, with a mortality rate of 5%. Fibrosis was found to be mild in 48% of patients, moderate in 15% and severe in 28%. Over the course of follow-up, 11% of patients developed at least one liver-related clinical event, according to the research.

The negative predictive value of Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis score (LIF) less than 2 was 100%, with no patients experiencing liver-related events. Two patients with a LIF score between 2 and 2.99 and eight with a LIF score greater than 3 experienced a liver-related clinical event.

Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with a LIF score greater than 3 had a higher cumulative risk for developing clinical outcomes and mortality compared with patients with a LIF score less than 1 (P = .02) and a LIF score between 1 and 1.99 (P = .03).

“This study shows that the LIF score, a newly established MR score for the assessment of liver fibrosis and inflammation, strongly predicts clinical outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease of mixed etiologies,” the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: Pavlides reports being a shareholder in Perspectum Diagnostics and has filed a patent application related to the use of MRI for the assessment of liver disease. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.