Prevalence of Chronic Liver Disease Based on Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography in an Adult Asian Indian Population Attending Outpatient Preventive Radiology Clinics in India.

Aim: To determine the ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE)-based prevalence of chronic liver disease in an adult Asian Indian population attending preventive radiology outpatient clinics in India.

Methods: Liver stiffness measures (LSMs) were ascertained using ultrasound SWE and interquartile range/median (IQR/M) ratio ≤ 30% kilopascal (kPa) units were considered a good quality measurement. Details of modifiable risk factors including comorbidity and personal risk behaviors were collected. The liver was graded based on the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Liver Elastography Consensus Statement and Grades 4 and 5 indicated compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze associations with chronic advanced liver disease.

Results: The median LSM in the study participants (n = 1145) was 8.0 (IQR 6.5, 9.85) kPa units. 10.65% of the study population had advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD and CSPH) and 22.79% had LSM that was suggestive of cACLD. cACLD and CSPH were significantly associated with comorbidities, personal risk behaviors, and lean and obese body mass indices. Modifiable risk factors were present in 20%-50% of participants with LSM between 7 and 13 kPa.

Conclusion: Information on the prevalence of LSM-based cACLD and CSPH and modifiable risk factors in persons with LSM between 7 and 13 kPa will help to design preventative strategies using LSM as an objective imaging biomarker.