FibroScan®
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can cause a range of health problems – and can be fatal. In fact, one person dies every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness – even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Point-of-care examinations, monitoring and ongoing assessment of liver fat and stiffness as provided by FibroScan®, a rapid, non-invasive point of care examination, can identify individuals who are asymptomatic and undiagnosed for liver damage.
Understanding Liver Disease
NAFLD can lead to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an asymptomatic, progressive and burgeoning liver disease that can cause an increase in liver-related mortality and morbidity. Cirrhosis from NAFLD is 10x higher than from hepatitis C, for which there are quality metrics around screening baby boomers.
One study on how NAFLD impacts patients treated and cured for hepatitis C infection found that NAFLD identified in patients prior to treatment persisted after curing their HCV infection. Among those with NAFLD before treatment, 6.25% still had significant liver scarring after their HCV infection was cured.
Assessment and Monitoring
With the high prevalence of NAFLD among the baby boomer population, FibroScan® can be an important assessment and monitoring tool for those living with viral hepatitis. This critical tool also helps to identify those cured of the virus, by providing a quantitative assessment of liver fat and stiffness at the point of care before NAFLD becomes symptomatic.
This World Hepatitis Day, we ask people from around the world to help raise awareness and make a difference because “Hepatitis Can’t Wait.”
