Influence of meal intake on liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C

Transient elastography (TE) is a non-invasive test for evaluation of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Meal intake has been found to affect liver stiffness (LS) values in CHC patients, but there is still lack of data in CHB patients.

Evaluate the influence of meal intake on LS values by TE in non-cirrhotic CHB patients and compare its effect with non-cirrhotic CHC patients.

Forty-five CHB patients and 37 CHC patients were included LS measurements by TE were done at three different times including 4-hour fasting immediately, and 60 minutes after finishing 500 kcal meal.

Mean fasting LS values in CHB patients were 5.40--1.7 kPa. LS values in CHB patients significantly increased at both immediately and 60 minutes after finishing meal by 0.31?0.1 kPa (p = 0.035) and 0.33 +/- 0.1 kPa (p = 0.018), respectively Difference in the peak changes of LS values after meal were not significant between CHB and CHC patients (CHB 0.72 +/- 0.1 vs. CHC 1.16 +/- 0.1, p = 0.076). No other variables associated with the changes ofLS values after meal in either CHB patients or CHC patients.

Meal intake significantly increases LS values in CHB and CHC patients. It was considered to be a confounding factor in LS measurements. An appropriate time offasting should be done before LS measurement in both CHB and CHC patients.