Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) Score:
Fasting Required: No
Lab: Quest Diagnostics
Specimen: Blood
Results: Average processing time 5-7 days
Note: Result turnaround times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.
Patient Instructions: Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.
Samples with fluorescein may cause falsely depressed results. Evidence suggests that patients undergoing retinal fluorescein angiography can retain amounts of fluorescein in the body for up to 72 hours post-treatment.
Description: The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score predicts progression to cirrhosis and liver-related events in patients with advanced fibrosis due to NASH.
The ELF score is not for use in the diagnosis of NASH, the staging of fibrosis, the serial monitoring of disease progression, or the monitoring of effects of therapeutic products.
The ELF score is derived from an algorithm that combines measurements of PIIINP, TIMP-1, and HA. PIIINP is a marker of early fibrogenesis and inflammation, TIMP-1 is the circulating inhibitor of MMP enzymes that can enhance fibrogenesis, and HA is a glycosaminoglycan that is produced by hepatic stellate cells. Together, these assays measure qualitative and quantitative changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM refers to a set of macromolecules that comprise the extracellular scaffolding of the liver. Some ECM markers reflect fibrogenesis and others reflect fibrosis regression, allowing for a dynamic evaluation of ECM activity.
Lab: Quest Diagnostics
Specimen: Blood
Results: Average processing time 5-7 days
Note: Result turnaround times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.
Patient Instructions: Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.
Samples with fluorescein may cause falsely depressed results. Evidence suggests that patients undergoing retinal fluorescein angiography can retain amounts of fluorescein in the body for up to 72 hours post-treatment.
Description: The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score predicts progression to cirrhosis and liver-related events in patients with advanced fibrosis due to NASH.
The ELF score is not for use in the diagnosis of NASH, the staging of fibrosis, the serial monitoring of disease progression, or the monitoring of effects of therapeutic products.
The ELF score is derived from an algorithm that combines measurements of PIIINP, TIMP-1, and HA. PIIINP is a marker of early fibrogenesis and inflammation, TIMP-1 is the circulating inhibitor of MMP enzymes that can enhance fibrogenesis, and HA is a glycosaminoglycan that is produced by hepatic stellate cells. Together, these assays measure qualitative and quantitative changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM refers to a set of macromolecules that comprise the extracellular scaffolding of the liver. Some ECM markers reflect fibrogenesis and others reflect fibrosis regression, allowing for a dynamic evaluation of ECM activity.