Fetuin-A: a relevant novel serum biomarker for non-invasive diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD): a retrospective case-control study

BMC Gastroenterol. 2024 Jul 18;24(1):226. doi: 10.1186/s12876-024-03310-y.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine how fetuin-A contributes to diagnosing and assessing MASLD severity.

Methods: Fifty MASLD patients and fifty healthy control participants were involved in this retrospective case-control research. Abdominal ultrasonography, fibroscan with controlled attenuated parameter scan (CAP scan), laboratory investigation (including fetuin-A assessment), clinical examination, and history-taking were performed on every case.

Results: Fetuin-A level was considerably higher in the Cases group (1154.85 ± 629.89) than in the Control group (505.29 ± 150.4) (p < 0.001). Fetuin-A had significant validity in the prediction of MASLD at a cut-off > 702.5 with 82% sensitivity, 90% specificity, and 86% overall accuracy.

Conclusion: One possible marker for MASLD diagnosis could be fetuin-A. Furthermore, a substantial association between such marker and the severity of the disease as it revealed a significant correlation with ultrasound grading and fibroscan with controlled attenuated parameters. Trial registration 1- Pan African Clinical Trial Registry. Unique Identifying number/registration ID: PACTR202309644280965. URL: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=26860 . Registration Approval date: 21/09/2023. 2- ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique Identifying number /registration ID: NCT06097039. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06097039?cond=NCT06097039&rank=1 . Registration Approval date: 25/10/2023.

Keywords: CAP scan; Fetuin-A; Fibroscan; NAFLD.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers* / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques
  • Fatty Liver / blood
  • Fatty Liver / diagnosis
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ultrasonography
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein* / analysis
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein* / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT06097039