1446 - Hepascore test to diagnose and monitor liver fibrosis severity in chronic liver disease

Page last updated: 09 March 2021

Application Detail

Description of Medical Service

Hepascore is a blood test developed in Australia that assesses liver fibrosis severity and predicts clinical outcome. It has been well validated worldwide and has a high accuracy to predict significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. It has been routinely performed in Western Australia for patients with chronic liver disease since 2004. It uses four serum test results, namely: alpha2-macroglobulin, hyaluronic acid, bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, as well as age and gender. The biomarkers are analysed using a 5ml blood sample and the Hepascore value is calculated according to a validated formula. The Hepascore test can be performed at the same time as blood is collected from patients for other purposes such as liver function tests at community pathology centres.

Description of Medical Condition

Chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the major causes of chronic liver disease. It has been estimated that more than 6 million people in Australia have chronic liver disease. 300,000 have chronic hepatitis C, 200,000 have chronic hepatitis B, 5.5 million have NAFLD and 4.5 million are at risk of alcoholic liver disease. Hepatitis C and hepatitis B are blood-borne diseases of the liver caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) respectively. Alcoholic liver disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. NAFLD is a metabolic disorder characterized by excessive triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes. All these diseases can lead to prolonged liver cell damage and formation of liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis progression is usually asymptomatic for the first two decades and eventually results in liver cirrhosis when hepatocellular carcinoma, liver related complications and death occur.

Reason for Application

New MBS item

Medical Service Type

Investigative

Previous Application Number

Not Applicable

Associated Documentation

Application Form

Application Form (Word 1027 KB)
Application Form (PDF 6715 KB)

Consultation Survey

Consultation Survey (Word 508 KB)
Consultation Survey (PDF 304 KB)

PICO Confirmation

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Assessment Report

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Public Summary Document

Public Summary Document (Word 533 KB)
Public Summary Document (PDF 701 KB)

Meetings for this Application

PASC

9 August 2018

ESC

8-9 October 2020

MSAC

26-27 November 2020