Platelet-to-Portal Vein Width Ratio and Platelet-to-Spleen Thickness Ratio Can Be Used to Predict Progressive Liver Fibrosis Among Patients With HBV Infection With HBeAg-Negativity and a Normal ALT Level.

Background: Some people infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a normal level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are at risk of disease progression. We evaluated the value of platelet-to-portal vein width ratio (PPR) and platelet-to-spleen thickness ratio (PSR) to predict progressive liver fibrosis among patients with HBV infection with HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-negativity and a normal ALT level. Methods: HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative individuals with a normal ALT level were enrolled. The inflammation grade (G) and fibrosis stage(S) were analyzed according to pathological features. Then, two groups ( 0.05). The platelet count, PPR, and PSR were significantly different between the two groups [(145.92 ± 14.55) ×109/L vs. (126.38 ± 23.85) ×109/L, p = 0.008; 10.80 ± 1.30 vs. 9.01 ± 1.97, p = 0.004; 4.21 ± 0.65 vs. 3.33 ± 0.89, p = 0.02, respectively]. The PPR and PSR decreased gradually upon fibrosis aggravation (p < 0.05). Based on the cut off value of the PPR (9.07) and PSR (3.54), their sensitivity and specificity was 0.917 and 0.525, and 0.833 and 0.541, respectively. Conclusion: The PPR and PSR can be employed to assess earlier fibrosis progression among patients with HBV infection with HBeAg-negativity and a normal ALT level.