FIB-4: Risk stratify patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Effective Feb. 1, clinical laboratories introduced a new orderable test called Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4).

FIB-4 is:

• A calculated score based on age and a combination of lab tests
• A well-validated index used to risk stratify patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high, intermediate, and low risk of developing cirrhosis over the next 10 years
• A key step in the NAFLD Primary Care Pathway, Hepatitis C Virus Primary Care Pathway, and Alcohol Use Disorder Pathway

The new FIB-4 test (LAB5191) is available in Connect Care and the updated Alberta Precision Laboratory (APL) General Laboratory Requisition. More details are in the APL bulletin.

Reminder: On Monday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m., the next two-hour Calgary Zone webinar will feature several topics related to liver health — including FIB-4 testing — primary care hot topics, and the Family Physician of the Year awards. Register today.