The XL probe: a luxury or a necessity? risk stratification in an obese community cohort using transient elastography

Harris, Rebecca; Card, Timothy R.; Delahooke, Toby; Aithal, Guruprasad P.; Guha, Indra Neil

Abstract

Background: Transient elastography is a non-invasive tool which can stratify patients at risk of chronic liver disease. However, a raised body mass index has been independently associated with a failed or unreliable examination.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyse the performance of two probes (M/XL) on a portable transient elastography device within an obese community population.

Method: The method involved a prospective study with recruitment from a primary care practice. Patients identified with a risk factor for chronic liver disease were invited to a community-based risk stratification pathway for transient elastography readings with both probes. A threshold of ≥8.0 kPa defined elevated liver stiffness.

Results: A total of 477 patients attended the pathway. Of the patients, 21% had no valid measurements with the M probe. There was a significant difference between the probes in the proportion achieving ≥10 valid readings (M versus XL probe: 66.2% versus 90.2%; p ≤ 0.001) and in their reliability (M versus XL probe: 77.4% versus 98.5%; p = 0.028). Unreliable readings with the M probe increased as the body mass index increased. The XL probe re-stratified 5.2% of patients to have a normal reading.

Conclusion: The XL probe on a portable device significantly improves the applicability of transient elastography within a community-based risk stratification pathway.

Citation

Harris, R., Card, T. R., Delahooke, T., Aithal, G. P., & Guha, I. N. (2018). The XL probe: a luxury or a necessity? risk stratification in an obese community cohort using transient elastography. United European Gastroenterology Journal, 6(9), 1372-1379. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050640618772944

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 31, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 18, 2018
• Publication Date: Apr 18, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 19, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 19, 2018
• Journal: United European Gastroenterology Journal
• Print ISSN: 2050-6406
• Electronic ISSN: 2050-6414
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1372-1379
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2050640618772944
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1090689
• Publisher URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2050640618772944
• Additional Information: Copyright © 2018 by United European Gastroenterology
• Contract Date: Sep 19, 2018