Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume as predictive factors for liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume as predictive factors for liver fibrosis and steatosis in HBV patients qualified for antiviral treatment.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study comprised 38 CHB patients who had commenced antiviral treatment, and 20 healthy volunteers who constituted the clinical control group. All patients had their blood count taken and underwent hepatic assessment using transient elastography with CAP (controlled attenuation parameter).

RESULTS

It was found that the mean hepatic fibrosis was 8.7 kPa (±8.8) and the mean liver steatosis - 286 db/m (±64). Mean NLR - 2.78(±1.1), whereas in the control group the mean NLR value was 1.64(±0.98). A negative linear correlation (r= -0.34; p=0.035) was found between liver fibrosis and the NLR value in the study group. No correlation was observed between hepatic steatosis and the NLR. Mean MPV - 12.6fl (±3.1), which was considerably higher in the CBH patients than in the control group. A positive correlation (r= 0.79, p= 0.001) was found between MPV and disease severity evaluated with transient elastography.

CONCLUSIONS

The NLR and the MPV were significantly higher in the CHB patients than in the healthy volunteers. Both the NLR and the MPV can be treated as predictive factors for liver fibrosis in this group of patients.