[13C]-Galactose breath test: correlation with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND
The galactose elimination capacity test is a quantitative liver function test that has been shown to be a potential surrogate marker for death in advanced chronic liver diseases. However, this test lacks sensitivity in early liver disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate a [13C]-galactose breath test (GBT) in a population of patients with chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
The GBT was performed in 10 control subjects and 50 patients with chronic hepatitis C; the results were compared with the METAVIR pathological scoring of liver biopsy specimens and with standard biochemical liver function tests.


RESULTS
In 10 patients, oral vs. intravenous administration of galactose yielded similar results for the GBT (3.01% +/- 0.12% dose h-1 for oral galactose vs. 2.98 +/- 0.21 for intravenous). The GBT was then performed orally in the remaining 40 patients and 10 control subjects. A significant difference was observed between control subjects and patients (4.51% +/- 0.18% vs. 2.97% +/- 0.14% dose h-1, P < 0.0001). A significant difference for GBT results was observed between each fibrosis stage, but not with regard to the activity score.


CONCLUSIONS
The GBT results are dependent on the severity of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Further studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of the GBT for the follow-up of chronic hepatitis C.
Fédération des Spécialités Digestives, Hôpital E. Herriot, Lyon, France. francois.mion@chu-lyon.fr
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Mion
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Rousseau
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Scoazec
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F
Berger
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Minaire
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001706:Biopsy; D001944:Breath Tests; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005260:Female; D005690:Galactose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005690:Galactose