A new ‘traffic light’ test developed by researchers in Southampton, England, could be used in primary care to diagnose liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high-risk patients, according to a paper published in the September 2012 issue of the British Journal of General Practice and highlighted in an accompanying University of Southampton news announcement.  The Southampton Traffic Light (STL) test combines several different assays and clinical markers which are given a score—red, yellow or green—indicative of a patient’s likelihood of developing serious liver disease. According to study co-author Michael Moore, MD, “in primary care, minor abnormalities of existing liver tests are quite common but we struggle to know how best to investigate these further and who warrants specialist intervention. The traffic light test has the advantage of highlighting those at highest risk who should be investigated further and those in whom the risk is much lower where a watchful approach is more appropriate.”

To read the University of Southampton news announcement, click here.