Table 1 Hepatologists’ attitude towards the use of liver biopsy for diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis
Variable | Patients (n = 573) |
|---|---|
Do you think the liver biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosing liver fibrosis? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 21.15 |
Very likely (75%) | 39.92 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 23.91 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 11.07 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 3.95 |
In your practice what percentage of patients accept liver biopsy? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 6.13 |
Very likely (75%) | 37.55 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 32.81 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 22.53 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 1.98 |
Do you think we still need a liver biopsy for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in viral hepatitis? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 4.35 |
Very likely (75%) | 13.64 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 26.88 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 37.94 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 18.18 |
Do you think we still need a liver biopsy for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in non-viral chronic liver diseases? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 10.67 |
Very likely (75%) | 34.39 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 27.67 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 20.55 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 7.11 |
How frequently do you see discordant results of liver biopsy histopathology reports with clinical findings? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 0.99 |
Very likely (75%) | 6.52 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 30.24 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 59.68 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 2.57 |
What do you do if the histopathology report is discordant with clinical findings? % | |
Ask for a second opinion from another pathologist | 34.19 |
Repeat liver biopsy | 6.72 |
Use non-invasive methods “biomarkers” | 19.57 |
Use non-invasive methods “Radiological” | 39.53 |
Do you think that currently used histopathological scoring systems are satisfactory for clinical decisions? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 9.29 |
Very likely (75%) | 59.88 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 25.30 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 4.94 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 0.59 |
Do you diagnose cirrhosis easily? % | |
Yes | 88.45 |
No | 11.55 |
How do you diagnose cirrhosis? “choose all that apply” % | |
Clinically | 51.58 |
Laboratory tests | 50 |
Radiological methods | 53.95 |
All of the above | 62.85 |
Do you diagnose significant fibrosis easily? % | |
Yes | 51.58 |
No | 48.42 |
How do you diagnose significant fibrosis? “choose all that apply” % | |
Clinically | 22.92 |
Laboratory tests | 34.19 |
Radiological methods | 44.66 |
All of the above | 38.93 |
Do you think a liver biopsy is required for diagnosing cirrhosis? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 2.77 |
Very likely (75%) | 8.50 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 21.94 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 45.45 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 21.34 |
Do you think we need a more practical alternative to liver biopsy to assess liver disease progression or response to treatment? % | |
Extremely likely (100%) | 47.83 |
Very likely (75%) | 36.17 |
Moderately likely (50%) | 10.08 |
Slightly likely (25%) | 4.15 |
Not at all likely (0%) | 1.78 |