Table 3.
Comparison of FibroScan and score-based steatosis and fibrosis grades over three months
| Parameters | Time of assessment | NAC group (n = 25) |
Control group (n = 26) |
p-value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steatosis/ CAP score (dB/m) |
Baseline median (IQR) |
297 (264–310) | 289 (249–329) | 1 a | ||
|
After median (IQR) |
274 (246–298) | 266 (206–296) | 1 a | |||
| p-value | 0.460 b | 0.004* b | ||||
| Percent change | -1.14 ((-18) – 4.6) | -12.8 ((-23) – (-0.34) | 0.094 a | |||
| Fibrosis (KPa) |
Baseline Median (IQR)_ |
5.4 (4.3–11) | 4.6 (4 -5.7) | 1 a | ||
|
After Median (IQR) |
5.5 (2.6–7.1) | 4.7 (3-10.4) | 0.908 a | |||
| p-value | 0.940 b | 1 b | ||||
| Percent change | -4.7 ((-15.9) – 5.5) | 0.25 ((-13) – 27.5) | 0.296 a | |||
| HSI Median (IQR) | Baseline | 47.9 (41.4–51.9) | 44.6 (40.3–48.2) | 1 a | ||
| After 3 months | 46.9 (39.2–50.9) | 42.9 (38.4–47.6) | 0.828 a | |||
| p-value | 0.008* b | 0.008* b | ||||
| NFS Median (IQR) | Baseline | -2 ((-3.1) – (-1)) | -1.6 ((-2.9)- (-0.9)) | 1 a | ||
| After 3 months | -2.7 ((-3.3) – (-1.8)) | -2.1 ((-2.6) – (-0.7)) | 0.800 a | |||
| p-value | 0.924 b | 1 b | ||||
| FIB-4 Median (IQR) | Baseline | 0.72 (0.5–1) | 0.84 (0.5–1.3) | 1 a | ||
| After 3 months | 0.68 (0.5–0.9) | 0.86 (0. 7–1.3) | 0.158 a | |||
| p-value | 1 b | 1 b | ||||
All p-values were corrected using Bonferroni adjustment
AbbreviationsCAP Controlled Attenuation Parameter, FIB-4 Fibrosis-4 Score, HSI Hepatic Steatosis Index, NAC N-Acetyl Cysteine, NFS NAFLD Fibrosis Score
* Level of significance p ˂0.05
Statistical tests; a, Mann-Whitney Test; b, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test