Interplatform Agreement Between Liver Steatosis Analysis and Ultrasound-Guided Attenuation Parameter in the...

Liver steatosis analysis (LiSA) and the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) are recently introduced commercially available techniques for the non-invasive evaluation of hepatic steatosis. This study aimed to assess the interplatform agreement between LiSA and UGAP in quantifying hepatic fat content.

Individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having fatty liver disease were included in the study. The overall interplatform agreement between LiSA and UGAP was assessed. The cohort was classified into 8 groups: 4 groups based on steatosis severity (S0-S3) and 4 groups based on predominant etiologies including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced fatty liver disease, and other causes. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare LiSA and UGAP values. Interplatform agreement was evaluated using Bland‒Altman analysis with 95% limits of agreement (LOAs) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the relationship between LiSA and UGAP.

A cohort of 357 patients with available LiSA, UGAP, and controlled attenuation parameter measurements were included in the study. No significant differences were observed between LiSA and UGAP values (p > 0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficients ranged from ranged from 0.89 to 0.94 across all groups, while ICCs exceeded 0.80. Bland‒Altman analysis demonstrated slight biases between LiSA and UGAP, ranging from -6.17 to 1.97 dB/m for all groups, with 95% LOAs for mean attenuation coefficient values ranging from -40.55 to 36.09 dB/m.

LiSA and UGAP exhibited excellent interplatform agreement and can be used interchangeably for longitudinal monitoring of patients with hepatic steatosis.