CONNECTIVE TISSUE GROWTH FACTOR AS A MARKER OF FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHOLESTASIS

Introduction and Objectives

Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTFG) is a multifunctional protein, plays a crucial role as a mediator in fibrogenic pathways involved in the development and progression of liver disease.

To establish the correlation between serum CTGF values by ELISA and the degree of liver fibrosis determined by transitional elastography in patients with cholestasis diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).

Materials and Methods

A descriptive and analytical prolective study that included patients with cholestasis diagnosed with PBC, patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C and a control group of healthy subjects. Serum CTGF levels and the degree of fibrosis were quantified. Statistical analysis: CTGF means were compared using a univariate model with etiology as an between-group factor and degree of fibrosis as an within-group factor, significance level 5%.

Results

51 patients with PBC, 15 HCV and 18 controls were included. Age 48±15 years, 75% women. The level of CTFG in patients with cholestasis increased with increasing degree of fibrosis. PBC (F0) 1342.4±669.9; PBC (F4) 1679.9±623.3. HCV (F4) 816.3±431.6, CT 314.1±163. Statistically significant differences (p<.001) were found between groups CT vs PBC (F0); CT vs CBP (F4), HCV (F4) vs PBC (F4) and CT vs HCV (F4). Figure 1

Conclusions

There is a direct relationship between serum levels of CTFG of patients with cholestasis and degrees of fibrosis by transition elastography, perhaps it can be considered as a marker of fibrosis induction in patients with cholestasis.

Conflict of interest: None

Serum CTGF levels and the degree of fibrosis