Can Any Noninvasive Serum Tests Differentiate Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis from Simple Steatosis?

In nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the main driver of liver-related morbidity and mortality is inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, differentiating between simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is key for determining prognosis, which is traditionally best achieved with a liver biopsy. Numerous noninvasive serum tests have been developed and evaluated with the hopes of avoiding biopsies.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of the ability of currently studied and available serum tests to differentiate between simple steatosis and NASH, using liver biopsy as the gold standard test. A meta-analysis was performed if a serum marker was evaluated in at least two studies.

Among the 122 studies rev…