Determination of the risk of liver fibrosis with the FIB-4 scale in 290,353 spanish workers: Associated variables

Objective: Liver fibrosis is a progressive disease characterised by the accumulation of excessive scar tissue in the liver. It occurs in response to chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There are different ways to diagnose it, including FIB-4. The aim of this study is to assess which variables are associated with increased liver fibrosis as determined by FIB-4. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 290,353 Spanish workers, evaluating the influence of age, sex, social class, tobacco consumption, and BMI on the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis determined by FIB-4. Results: The prevalence of moderate and high FIB-4 values is 12.8% in women and 4% in women. These prevalence increase with age, as socioeconomic status decreases, in smokers and as BMI increases. Conclusion: The profile of a person with elevated FIB-4 values will be a male, older, with a low socioeconomic status, smoker and overweight.