A panel of a mitogenic (PDGF), biochemical (albumin) and demographic (age) parameters for the non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis

Background: Several studies have investigated certain fibrosis markers that incorporate liver function tests, fragments of liver-matrix components and/or degraded products generated by hepatic stellate cells for determining the degree of hepatic fibrosis. However, the role of these molecules in the development of hepatic fibrosis is unclear. This work aimed (a) to determine whether platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is linked to different stages of hepatic fibrosis and (b) investigate its diagnostic performance alongside other laboratory and demographic factors in assessing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection. Methods: Liver-fibrosis was staged according to Fibroscan, PDGF quantified using ELISA, and liver function tests and other analytes determined by standard techniques in 239 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Results: Patients with significant (F2-F4), advanced fibrosis (F3-F4) and cirrhotic liver disease (F4) showed significantly (P