Diagnostic accuracy of hepatic proton density fat fraction measured by magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of liver steatosis with histology as reference standard: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) for the assessment of liver steatosis (LS) with histology as reference standard.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed to identify pertinent studies. Quality analyses were conducted by Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Diagnostic data were extracted and inconsistency index was calculated for LS≥G1, LS≥G2, and LS=G3, respectively. The area under summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) served as the indicator of diagnostic accuracy. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated if threshold effect was absent.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies containing 1100 subjects were included. There was significant threshold effect for LS≥G1. The AUCs for LS≥G1, LS≥G2, and LS=G3 were 0.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76, 1.00), 0.91 (95% CI 0.89, 0.94), and 0.92 (95% CI 0.89, 0.94), respectively. The pooled sensitivities for LS≥G2 and LS=G3 were 0.83 (95% CI 0.75, 0.88) and 0.79 (95% CI 0.63, 0.90), respectively; the pooled specificities for LS≥G2 and LS=G3 were 0.89 (95% CI 0.84, 0.92) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.84, 0.92), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI-PDFF has high diagnostic accuracy at detecting and grading LS with histology as reference standard, suggesting that MRI-PDFF is able to provide an accurate quantification of LS in clinical trials and patient care.

KEY POINT

• MRI-PDFF is able to provide an accurate quantification of LS in clinical trials and patient care.