Evaluation of the Role of Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Levels in Chronic Viral Hepatitis C Patients, Without Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Journal Title: Journal of Medical Science And clinical Research - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: elevated serum AFP is not uncommonly seen in patients with CHC, but not HCC. Aim of the Study; is to evaluate the clinical significance of Alpha- Fetoprotein (AFP) levels in chronic hepatitis C patients without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients And Methods: We operated our study on selected 70 patients of chronic hepatitis C virus infection diagnosed by history taking, clinical manifestations and positive laboratory investigations for chronic HCV infection. The following investigations were done for all cases; liver function tests, complete blood picture and viral markers (HCV-Ab, HBs-Ag and quantitative PCR for HCV-RNA). Abdominal ultrasound and histopathological examination of ultrasound guided liver biopsy were done for all cases. Results: The study reveals that AFP levels were very much higher in HCV cases compared to controls. There was a positive highly significant correlation. It was found that higher serum AFP levels were associated with more advanced stage of fibrosis especially F3 & F4. Regarding the mean AFP levels in different grades of liver pathology, there was no statistical significant relation. Also, there was no statistical significant relation between the mean AFP levels and the presence of Steatosis. By using a ROC curve, the level of AFP can be used as a screening for chronic HCV infection (sensitivity=75.4%, specificity=85.7%), as well as for advanced fibrosis in chronic HCV infection (sensitivity=69.7%, specificity=83.8%). Conclusion: Serum AFP levels increase with advanced stages of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection, even without hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum AFP levels may be used as a marker for prediction of chronic liver affection and staging of fibrosis.
Authors and Affiliations
Hisham Khalil Dabbous
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP211019
- DOI -
- Views 54
- Downloads 0
A Rare Case of Umbilical Pilonidal Sinus Mimicking Umbilical Adenoma
Although most cases of pilonidal sinus are found in the sacrococcygeal region, umbilical presentations can occur as well. There are only a few reports of umbilical pilonidal sinus in the literature. We report a case of u...
Study of Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile in Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus
Hypertension and Dyslipidemia are common accompaniments of Diabetes Mellitus and are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This is a study of hypertension and lipid profile in 35 subjects with uncontrolled diab...
Selfie: Enjoyment or Addiction?
The rapid growth of taking selfies have been associated with harmful psychological disorders leading to mental disturbances resulting in behavioural disturbances. Our technology, instead of being beneficial to society, i...
Anti Rabies Vaccination compliance: A longitudinal study amongst patients attending Anti Rabies Vaccination OPD in a tertiary care hospital
Background: Rabies is a 100% fatal disease affecting all mammals. Dog is the main reservoir and is a major socioeconomic and public health problem. About 59,000 people die annually due to this disease. It affects all and...
Role of MRI in characterisation of Endometriomas, primarily evaluated by ultrasonography and to compare with clinical, surgical and Histopathological data
Endometriomas occurs when the ectopic endometrial tissue implants enlarge and repeatedly haemorrhage in response to hormonal stimulation forming cystic lesion commonly on the ovaries. T2 shading is the classic MR feature...