Increased liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography in severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B

Background and Aims: The proposed cut‐off values for the degree of fibrosis as assessed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM) might not be applicable in severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to assess the effect of necroinflammatory activity on LSM in this condition. Methods: We prospectively recruited consecutive patients with severe acute exacerbation of CHB (alanine aminotransferase or ALT > 10× upper limit of normal). The relationship of ALT levels and LSM were serially assessed and liver biopsy was carried out after ALT normalization. Results: Eleven patients (10 male, median age 43 years) were followed up for 25 weeks; nine patients received antiviral therapy. Overall, LSM was positively correlated with ALT levels (r = 0.67, P