Comparison of screening strategies with two new tests to score and diagnose varices needing treatment

摘要

? 2022 Elsevier Masson SASBackground and aims: We aimed to improve non-invasive screening of varices needing treatment (VNT) and compare different screening strategies. Methods: 2,290 patients with chronic liver disease were included in a retrospective study. Etiologies were: virus: 50.0, NAFLD: 29.5, alcohol: 20.5, VNT: 14.9. Test descriptors were performance (spared endoscopy) and safety (missed VNT). VNT tests were evaluated according to their safety levels either for individual screening (95 negative predictive value (NPV)), population screening (95 sensitivity) or undifferentiated screening (100 sensitivity/NPV) without missed VNT. The tests provided three categories: missed VNT <5, VNT 100 specificity (new category), both sparing endoscopies, and intermediate (endoscopy required). Results: Independent VNT predictors (etiology, sex, age, platelets, prothrombin index, albumin, ALT, liver stiffness) were included in two tests: VNT virus alcohol NAFLD test (VANT) and varice risk score (VARS). We report results of the whole population. Considering population screening, performances were, Baveno VI criteria: 24.1, Anticipate: 24.7, VariScreen: 35.3, VANT: 40.2 (p<0.001 vs other tests). VANT spared 58.0 more endoscopies in the whole population than Baveno criteria in compensated advanced chronic liver diseases. Considering individual screening, VARS performance was, in all patients: 62.0 vs 42.9 for the expanded Baveno VI criteria (p<0.001), and, in NAFLD: 72.8 vs 65.1 for the NAFLD cirrhosis criteria (p<0.001). Considering undifferentiated screening, VARS performance was 12. The VARS score estimated VNT probability from 0 to 100 (AUROC: 0.826). Conclusion: VANT and VARS spared from 12 (undifferentiated screening) to 40 (population screening) or 62 (individual screening) of endoscopies in main-etiology patients without ascites.