Correlation of MRE-Based Liver and Spleen Stiffness with Platelet Count in Chronic HBV Infection Patients

Motivation: The correlation between changes in liver and spleen biomechanical properties and platelet count remains unclear in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection patients. Goal(s): To investigate the correlation between the three parameters: liver stiffness, spleen stiffness, and platelet count. Approach: Magnetic resonance elastography was used to measure liver and spleen stiffness. Blood platelet count was recorded. The association was evaluated by the Spearman correlation. Results: The results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between liver stiffness and spleen stiffness. Conversely, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between liver stiffness and platelet count, as well as between spleen stiffness and platelet count. Impact: Our study revealed the consistency of changes in the biomechanical properties of the liver and spleen during the liver fibrosis progression of chronic HBV infection. Furthermore, we demonstrated their correlation with thrombocytopenia.