The diagnostic accuracy of transient elastography for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in bariatric surgery candidates with suspected NAFLD

Severe obesity and metabolic syndrome have been implicated in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated the diagnostic value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM), by transient elastography (FibroScan®) in bariatric surgery candidates with suspected NAFLD. A total of 100 prospectively included consecutive severely obese subjects underwent bariatric surgery with liver needle biopsy. LSM was performed in the 15 days preceding liver biopsy. According to Kleiner’s classification, 28 patients had no fibrosis, 50 had stage F1 fibrosis, 13 had stage F2 fibrosis, and nine had stage F3 fibrosis. LSMs were higher in patients with fibrosis stage F ≥2, than in patients with a fibrosis stage below F2 (p