Liver biopsy, the “gold standard” in evaluating the grade of fibrosis in chronic liver diseases, is a relatively expansive, invasive method carrying some potential risks as well. The APRI index (AST to platelet ratio index) is a cheap noninvasive parameter, which can be calculated very easily and correlates with the fibrosis grade. The aim of our study was to study the correlation between this index and the fibrosis grade in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. We also studied if there are any correlations between the APRI value and some laboratory parameters in the same patients. We included 16 patients suffering of NASH. Fibrosis was graded from 1 to 4, after the Brunt scale. The APRI was directly proportional with the grade of fibrosis. Under 0,5 there was no significant fibrosis, over 1,5 fibrosis was severe, in one case cirrhosis was present. The APRI showed no correlation with waist circumference, plasma glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In patients with NASH the value of APRI is directly proportional with the grade of fibrosis.
Keywords: NASH, APRI index, liver fibrosis