Prognostic role of liver stiffness measurements using magnetic resonance elastography in patients with compensated chronic liver disease

To retrospectively evaluate the prognostic role of liver stiffness (LS) measurement using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in patients with compensated chronic liver disease (cCLD). We enrolled 217 patients with cCLD who underwent MRE. After mean follow-up of 45.0 ± 17.6 months, cumulative incidence (CI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence, development of decompensation and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. During the follow-up period, HCC occurred in 33 patients, and 1-, 3- and 5-year CIs of HCC occurrence were 3.8%, 14.8% and 18.9%, respectively. The LS value was a significant predictive factor for HCC occurrence [p < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.59 per unit (1.25-2.03)]. Eighteen patients experienced hepatic decompensation, and 1-, 3- and 5-year CIs of decompensation were 2.8%, 7.3% and 11.3%, respectively. The LS value was also significantly associated with decompensation development [p < 0.001, HR = 2.02 per unit (1.37-2.98)]. Fourteen patients died, and 1-, 3- and 5-year OSs were 99.1%, 98.0% and 89.8%, respectively. The LS value was demonstrated to be a significant affecting factor for OS [p = 0.008, HR = 1.39 per unit (1.10-1.78)]. LS obtained from MRE was a significant predictive factor for the development of decompensation, HCC occurrence and OS in cCLD patients. (orig.)