The importance of serum biglycan levels as a fibrosis marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B

WOS: 000411716300040 PubMed ID: 27925300 BackgroundLiver biopsy is recommended in the majority of patients with chronic viral hepatitis for fibrosis evaluation. Because of the potential risks of liver biopsy, many studies related to non-invasive biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis have been performed. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of serum biglycan as a non-invasive fibrosis marker in chronic hepatitis B patients. MethodsThis study included 120 patients with biopsy-proven hepatitis B patients and 60 healthy controls. Fibrosis stage and necroinflammatory activity were assessed in liver biopsy specimens. Biglycan level was measured using an ELISA assay. ResultsSerum biglycan levels of chronic hepatitis B patients were found to be significantly higher than those of healthy controls (337.3363.0pg/mL vs 189.1 +/- 61.9pg/mL, respectively, P