Clinical practice guidelines of the Catalan Society of Gastroenterology about hepatic elastography 2022

Abstract

Introduction: After almost 20 years using transient elastography (TE) for the non-invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis, its use has been extended to population screening, evaluation of steatosis and complications of cirrhosis. For this reason, the «Catalan Society of Gastroenterology» commissioned a group of experts to update the first document carried out in 2011.

Material and methods: The working group (8 doctors and 4 nurses) prepared a panel of questions based on the online survey «Hepatic Elastography in Catalonia 2022» following the PICO structure and the Delphi method.

Results: The answers are presented with the level of evidence, the degree of recommendation and the final consensus after being evaluated by two external reviewers.

Conclusion: Transient elastography uses the simplest and most reliable elastographic method to quantify liver fibrosis, assess steatosis, and determine the risk of complications in patients with cirrhosis. The document has been endorsed by the "Catalan Society of Gastroenterology" and the "Col·legi Oficial d'Infermeres i Infermers de Barcelona".

Keywords: Cirrhosis; Cirrosis; Cribado; Elastografía; Elastography; FibroScan®; Fibrosis; No invasivo; Non-invasive; Screening.