Comparison of FibroTouch and FibroScan for staging fibrosis in chronic liver disease: Single-center prospective study

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the FibroTouch and FibroScan in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) for staging fibrosis.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 435 CLD patients between 2014 and 2017. Index tests (FibroTouch, FibroScan, APRI, and FIB-4 score) and a reference standard (liver biopsy) were performed within one week.

Results: The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of the FibroTouch was similar with that of the FibroScan for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis, severe fibrosis, or cirrhosis; however, the AUROC of the FibroTouch was higher than that of APRI or FIB-4 (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation (rho = 0.85, p < 0.001) between the FibroTouch and FibroScan for liver stiffness. The overall diagnostic accuracy of FibroTouch for significant fibrosis, severe fibrosis, or cirrhosis was 73.3%, 83.2%, or 84.1%, respectively. No significant differences between the FibroTouch and FibroScan were detected regarding the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy. The optimal cut-off values for each stage of fibrosis were similar between the FibroTouch and FibroScan.

Conclusion: The FibroTouch is a valuable diagnostic tool for diagnosing liver fibrosis with good diagnostic accuracy which was comparable with that of the FibroScan, but superior to that of the APRI and FIB-4.