2023 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 53-62
Objective: Generally, potential carriers of viral hepatitis (VH) are expected to develop life-threatening liver-related events, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Although VH screening at medical checkup facilities is a possible way to detect undiagnosed carriers in Japan, introducing such screening in these facilities has progressed poorly. In this study, we investigated the predictive index for VH and aimed not only to improve VH screening rates but also develop an early and effective screening test to detect VH markers (VHM)-positive examinees.
Methods: Data from examinees who received VH screening at our facilities in 2018 were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to examine differences in various clinical data, including non-invasive hepatic fibrosis scoring systems, between examinees who tested positive for VHM and those who did not.
Results: A high fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index (≥1.30) value, a non-invasive hepatic fibrosis scoring system, was an independent predictor of VHM-positive examinees (p=0.004). In the subgroup analysis, a high FIB-4 index value of ≥1.30 was also an independent predictor for HBs antigens-positive examinees (p=0.004), but was not a significant predictor for HCV antibodies-positive examinees.
Conclusions: A high FIB-4 index value of ≥1.30 is a promising predictive index for examinees who tested positive for VHM, especially HBs antigens. Applying this index may improve VH screening rates and afford early and effective screening opportunities to identify VHM-positive examinees.
