Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) for staging of fibrosis in adults with chronic hepatitis C.

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) for staging and screening fibrosis in adults with chronic hepatitis C infection when compared with liver biopsy as the reference standard. To achieve this, we will compare at least significant fibrosis (stages F2-F4) to no significant fibrosis (stages F0-F1) as this group of people is prioritised for treatment; at least advanced fibrosis (stages F3-F4) compared to no advanced fibrosis (stages F0-F2) as this group of people is at high risk for developing complications, i.e. hepatocellular carcinoma; cirrhosis (stage F4) compared to no cirrhosis (stages F0-F3) as the duration and effectiveness of treatment in these population groups of people are different. Secondary objectives We also aim to identify the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the most common cut-off values of APRI for the staging of fibrosis in adults with chronic hepatitis C. We plan to investigate heterogeneity for the following covariates if adequate data are available (Investigations of heterogeneity).

Methodological quality: a) studies with high methodological quality; b) studies with low or unclear methodological quality Interval of liver biopsy and APRI: a) done in one day; b) more than one day, but less than or equal to three months Mean length of biopsy samples: a) less than 15 mm; b) mean length equal to or more than 15 mm Number of portal tracts in a biopsy sample: a) less than 11; b) number of portal tracts equal to or more than 11.