FORNS INDEX TO PREDICT FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Objective: To estimate the Forns index to predict fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease at tertiary care hospital Patients and Methods: Total Fifty patients, of 12 to 50 years either gender had chronic liver disease by positive HCV RNA PCR and/or HBsAg, and had liver biopsy done for evaluation purposes were enrolled and entered in this six months cross sectional study after informed consent. The brief history was taken and relevant clinical examination was performed while the laboratory investigations include latelet count, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and cholesterol levels. The Forns' index will be calculated through the following equation Forns index = 7.811 – 3.131 x ln platelet + 0.781 x ln GGT + 3.647 x ln age - 0.014 x cholesterol; the Forns score <4.2 excludes the liver cirrhosis / fibrosis. The data was saved on pre-designed proforma while the SPSS 16 was used to analyze the data and to manipulate the mean ±SD, frequencies and percentages. Results: During six months study period total fifty patients with chronic liver disease were evaluate for cirrhosis and fibrosis by non invasive indirect markers (Forns index). The mean ± for age (years) & duration of chronic liver disease (years) for whole population was 38.94±5.62 & 5.81±2.95 respectively. The Forns' index (>4.2) was detected in 36 (72%) patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Conclusion: The Forns index is accurate noninvasive blood test to predict the existence or absence of significant liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Keywords: Forns index, chronic liver disease and Non invasive marker