New blood tests could replace painful liver biopsies for millions with fatty liver disease

NCT ID NCT03695796

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looked at over 1,000 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to see if simple blood tests and ultrasound-based devices can accurately detect liver scarring (fibrosis) without needing a liver biopsy. The goal is to develop reliable, non-invasive tools to identify patients who may benefit from future treatments. Participants had liver biopsies to confirm their condition and also underwent various non-invasive tests for comparison.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to reliable non-invasive tests to identify NAFLD patients who need treatment, avoiding the need for liver biopsies.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. The tests may not be accurate enough to replace biopsy in all cases, and results may not apply to all patient groups.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Amiens University Hospital

    Amiens, France

  • Edouard Herriot Hospital

    Lyon, France

  • Grenoble University Hospital

    Grenoble, France

  • Hospital Center Of Lorient

    Lorient, France

  • Hospital of Le Havre

    Le Havre, France

  • Saint-Joseph Hospital

    Marseille, France

  • University Hospital Of Nancy

    Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France

  • University Hospital Of Nice

    Nice, France

  • University Hospital of Besançon

    Besançon, France

  • University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand

    Clermont-Ferrand, France

  • University Hospital of Lille

    Lille, France

  • University Hospital of Pointe à Pitre

    Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

  • University Hospital of Rouen

    Rouen, France

  • University Hospital of Strasbourd

    Strasbourg, France

  • University Hospital of Toulouse

    Toulouse, France

  • University of Bordeaux

    Pessac, France