CompletedNot Applicable

Noninvasive Staging of Liver Fibrosis: MR vs Ultrasound

Canada108 participantsStarted 2014-01

Plain-language summary

Liver fibrosis is an important public health problem, with a substantial morbidity and mortality due to progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. All causes of chronic liver disease may lead to fibrosis. The traditional diagnostic approach requires a biopsy for assessing the severity of liver disease prior to therapy. However, liver biopsy has several limitations: cost, sampling error, and procedure-related morbidity and mortality. Considering the high prevalence of viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition often associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, there is an urgent need for noninvasive screening, diagnosis and monitoring strategies of chronic liver disease severity. Our team has the expertise to investigate ultrasound-based and magnetic resonance-based elastographic methods for the noninvasive staging of liver fibrosis. The primary objective of this cross-sectional study is to compare the sensitivity of elastographic methods for detecting histology-determined significant fibrosis. The secondary objectives are to compare the diagnostic accuracy of these elastographic methods and the influence of potential confounders (inflammation, steatosis and iron deposition) on their diagnostic accuracy.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * are adults; * must undergo a liver biopsy as part of their clinical standard of care for suspected or known chronic liver disease caused by HBV, HCV or NASH; * understand French or English instruction; * Autoimmune Hepatitis Exclusion Criteria: * have any contra-indication to MRI (such as claustrophobia, pacemaker, metallic clips for a neurosurgical procedure); * are pregnant or trying to become pregnant; * have a weight or girth preventing them from entering the MR magnet bore; * are unable to understand or unwilling to provide written informed consent for this study.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Histology-determined fibrosis stage

Timeframe: Within 6 weeks of elastographic methods

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02044523

SponsorCentre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2018-06

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