Assessment of Normal Value of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography in HIV Patients

Prospective Study for Assessment of Normal Value of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography in HIV Patients Without Abnormal Liver Function and Chronic Liver Disease

This is a prospective cohort single center study for assessment of normal value of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography and fibroscan in HIV patients without abnormal liver function and chronic liver disease.

HIV positive patients who have liver dysfunction have shown to be correlated with high mortality and morbidity. To date, ARFI elastography has been known to correlate with the degree of liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease. However, ARFI velocity has not yet been reported in HIV patients. The aim of this study was to identify the normal range of ARFI velocity and liver stiffness value by recruiting HIV patients without abnormal liver function and chronic liver disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 20 years
• HIV positive patients
• The patients who is willing and able to provide written informed consent to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Co-infected with HIV and HBV or HCV
• History of any other forms of liver disease
• Any gross abnormality on the imaging finding including MRI and CT
• Any laboratory abnormalities regarding liver condition (Platelet count < 150 x 103/ul, Fasting glucose > 110 mg/dl, AST > 40 IU/L, ALT> 40 IU/L, Albumin < 3.3 g/dl, Total bilirubin > 1.2 mg/dl, GGT> 54 IU/L, ALP > 115 IU/L , Ferritin > 322 ng/ml)