Research
SAFE score had the greatest net benefit for predicting cirrhosis
In a study of adults with noncirrhotic steatotic liver disease, the SAFE score performed best for predicting cirrhosis, but HCC prediction remained limited.
The SAFE score had the greatest net benefit for predicting cirrhosis among nine risk scores evaluated in adults with steatotic liver disease, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Researchers analyzed data from 853,131 adults with imaging-confirmed, noncirrhotic disease in the U.S. Veterans Affairs health system. Within 10 years, 3.96% developed cirrhosis and 0.35% developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
A SAFE score of 29.5 corresponded to a 10-year cirrhosis risk of 2.5% and a net benefit of 0.019, or 1.9 additional people who developed cirrhosis per 100 classified as at risk. The researchers also found the score’s net benefit for HCC prediction was small: a score of 43.8 corresponded to a 10-year HCC risk of 0.25% and a net benefit of 0.0016. The study authors said the available risk scores do not adequately predict HCC to guide screening in people with noncirrhotic disease.
