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Child-Pugh classification dependent alterations in serum leptin levels among cirrhotic patients: a case controlled
Fusun F Bolukbas1, Cengiz Bolukbas, Mehmet Horoz
1Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Harran University, Medical Faculty, Sanliurfa, Turkey. fusunbol@yahoo.ca.
Insights
Serum leptin levels are elevated in advanced post-hepatitis cirrhosis, particularly in Child-Pugh Class C patients. This increase is independent of gender and body composition, highlighting leptin as a marker for liver disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cirrhosis is often associated with anorexia and hypermetabolism.
- Leptin, a key regulator of energy balance, may be elevated in cirrhosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between disease severity and serum leptin levels in post-hepatitis cirrhosis.
- To explore the influence of body composition, gender, and viral etiology on leptin levels in cirrhosis.
Main Methods:
- 35 post-hepatitis cirrhosis patients and 15 healthy controls were analyzed.
- Body composition (BMI, body fat percentage, body fat mass) and serum leptin levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Leptin levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than controls (p=0.001), irrespective of sex.
- Leptin levels increased with Child-Pugh classification severity (A, B, C).
- Child-Pugh classification was the sole discriminator for leptin levels in cirrhotics (beta: 0.435, p=0.015).
Conclusions:
- Serum leptin levels are elevated in advanced post-hepatitis cirrhosis, independent of gender and body composition.
- The increase in leptin is most pronounced in Child-Pugh Class C patients, indicating its role as a marker for advanced liver disease.
Background:
As anorexia and hypermetabolism are common in cirrhosis, leptin levels may be increased in this disease. In this study, we investigated the relation between the severity of disease and serum leptin levels in post-hepatitis cirrhosis and the role of body composition, gender and viral aetiology of cirrhosis in this association.
Methods:
Thirty-five cases with post-hepatitis cirrhosis and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Body composition including body mass index, body fat percentage and body fat mass were determined. Serum leptin levels were assayed.
Results:
Leptin levels were significantly higher among cirrhotic patients independent of sex compared to controls (p = 0.001). Female patients in both groups have had higher leptin levels than males (in cirrhotics p = 0.029, in controls p = 0.02). Cirrhotic patients in each of A, B and C subgroups according to the Child- Pugh classification revealed significantly different levels compared to controls (p = 0.046, p = 0.004, p = 0.0001, respectively). Male cirrhotics in Child-Pugh Class B and C subgroups had significantly higher leptin levels compared to male controls (p = 0.006, p = 0.008). On the other hand, female patients only in Child Pugh class C subgroup have had higher levels of serum leptin compared to controls (p = 0.022).Child-Pugh classification has been found to be the sole discriminator in determination of leptin levels in cirrhotics by linear regression (beta: 0.435 p = 0.015).
Conclusion:
Serum leptin levels increase in advanced liver disease independently of gender, body composition in posthepatitic cirrhosis. The increase is more abundant among patients that belong to C subgroup according to the Child- Pugh classification.
