Interpretation of liver stiffness measurement in patients with mixed liver disease etiologies

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: El Ray A.; El Ghannam M.; Rautou P.E.

Journal: Arab Journal of Gastroenterology

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Publication Date: August 2026

ISSN: 16871979

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2026.05.002

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 42362465

Document Type: Letter


Authors and Affiliations

El Ray A., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Giza, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Egypt; El Ghannam M., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Giza, Egypt; Rautou P.E., Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Centre de recherche sur l’inflammation, UMR 1149, Paris, France, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Service d’Hépatologie, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Clichy, France


Abstract

Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE)–based liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is widely used for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension in chronic liver disease. In daily practice, LSM values are often interpreted using etiology-specific fibrosis cut-offs embedded in device software. However, an increasing proportion of patients now present with mixed liver disease etiologies, particularly combinations of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with viral or alcohol-related liver disease. In such patients, applying singleetiology cut-offs may lead to misclassification of fibrosis stage and portal hypertension risk. We highlight the limitations of this approach and argue that LSM should be interpreted within a broader clinical context, integrating platelet count, biochemical markers, and validated risk-stratification algorithms rather than relying solely on fibrosis staging tables. Pan-Arab Association of Gastroenterology


Keywords

Baveno VII; Compensated advanced chronic liver disease; Liver stiffness; Mixed liver disease etiologies; Vibration-controlled transient elastography; Biomarkers; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Fatty Liver; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases; Platelet Count; biochemical marker; biological marker; algorithm; chronic liver disease; human; Letter; probability; risk; transient elastography; vibration; blood; complication; diagnostic imaging; elastography; etiology; liver disease; pathology; portal hypertension; procedures


Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0


For comprehensive information about the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), its institutional activities, scientific and research achievements, clinical and hospital services, and the diverse expertise offered through its 22 specialized research and clinical departments, as well as opportunities for professional training, specialized workshops, and scientific conferences, readers are invited to visit the Institute’s official website.

The website provides regularly updated information on the Institute’s latest news, research activities, scientific initiatives, clinical services, institutional programs, and academic and professional opportunities.

English Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/en/

Arabic Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/ar/

Prepared and Uploaded by:

Abdalla F. Abdalla

Electronic Portal Unit

Electronic Portal Unit

Popular Posts

Transcriptome analysis for Schistosoma vector snail’s Oncomelania hupensis exposed to silver nanoparticles

Multifunctional polycaprolactone-based composite fibers with icariin and glutathione for effective repair of critical-sized bone defects

Holothuria arenicola Extract-Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanocapsules Attenuate Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Acute Liver Injury

Mytilus edulis-mediated green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles with antimicrobial and molluscicidal applications

Microbial levan potentiates hepatic retention and antitumor activity of a PEGylated benzimidazole–curcumin nanocomplex through TLR2–FXR/FGF15-associated immunometabolic remodeling in experimental liver cancer

Variable clinical presentations of pulmonary hydatid cysts: a four-case series from a single center in United Arab Emirates, non-endemic region