Growth Differentiation Factor 15: An Emerging Diagnostic Biomarker of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Abstract Background Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are a major health concern worldwide being the sixth leading cause of all-cause mortality in people aged 25–64 years. Assessment fibrosis is necessary to determine severity prognosis at time presentation suitable treatment. The gold standard method diagnosis biopsy; however, this procedure invasive; thus, multiple laboratory radiologic tests used help degree fibrosis. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) pleiotropic cytokine involved regulating inflammatory apoptotic pathways. It plays role cardiovascular disease, inflammation, body weight regulation cancer. suggested that GDF-15 an important pathogenesis Aim Work In study we aimed evaluate efficiency growth diagnosing Patients Methods was case- control conducted on 55 chronic HCV patients recruited from Hepatitis C virus Clinic Faculty Medicine Ain Shams Research Institute (MARSI), 30 healthy subjects age sex matched. were classified into three subgroups according assessed by fibro-scan. Serum concentration determined enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results our revealed highly significant statistical rise levels among studied with when compared group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there positive correlation between fibro-scan serum levels. Levels significantly higher mild (patients’ subgroup І controls’ 0.01) suggesting marker early detection A statistically increase noticed advanced “subgroup ІІІ” those І” 0.05). diagnostic sensitivity specificity 96.7%, 98.2%, respectively cutoff value 150 ng/L for discrimination patients’ groups. Conclusion could be potential especially as its than