Pentraxin 3 as a predictor of advanced fibrosis and carotid intima-media thickness in MAFLD patients

Xia & He Publishing Inc.Jun 25 2024

Background and objectives

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. In this study, we assessed the predictive value of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) for severe fibrosis and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with MAFLD.

Methods

188 patients (114 with MAFLD, 74 with dual etiology MAFLD and chronic hepatitis C) were included. All participants underwent clinical history and examination, metabolic parameter assessment, serum level evaluation of PTX3, Fibrosis-4 index and nafld fibrosis score scores, abdominal ultrasound, and CIMT assessment.

Results

The serum PTX3 was significantly elevated in patients with advanced fibrosis compared to those with mild/moderate fibrosis (1.8 vs 1.4, p = 0.006). The PTX3 level was independently associated with advanced fibrosis (odds ratio = 1.26, 95% confidence interval 1.008–1.040). In MAFLD patients, the PTX3 levels in patients with low fibrosis compared to those with advanced fibrosis were 1.4 (1–2.1) and 1.9 (1.3–3.8), respectively (p = 0.027). A significantly greater CIMT was noted in patients with elevated PTX3 levels (3.85 (3.42–4) vs 4.05 (3.7–4.67), p = 0.0001) compared to those with low PTX3 levels.

Conclusions

In this study, we demonstrated that PTX3 accurately predicts the presence of advanced fibrosis and CIMT in a population with MAFLD. Thus, it could be useful for risk stratification and management. Further independent studies will be required to confirm these findings in larger cohorts and in the general population, which has diverse representations of individuals of other races and ethnicities.