Criteria of Kaneda et al for Predicting Severe Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis in a Patient with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Serum Hyaluronic Acid Concentration and Platelet Count

 

Parameters:

(1) serum hyaluronic acid in ng/mL

(2) platelet count per µL

 

A serum hyaluronic acid >= 42 ng/mL was associated with severe hepatic fibrosis (reported sensitivity 100% and specificity almost 90%).

 

A platelet count <= 160,000 per µL was associated with cirrhosis, probably reflecting splenic sequestration.

 

where:

• Suzuki et al used a cutoff for serum hyaluronic acid >= 46.1 ng/mL (46.1 µg/L).

• Sakugaws et al used a cutoff of >= 43 ng/mL.

 

Limitations:

• Hyaluronic acid is a polymer so the molecular weight may vary quite a bit.

• The method of measurement and the reference range for the population will affect the cutoff for serum hyaluronic acid measurement.