Prognostic value of quantitative liver function tests in viral cirrhosis: a prospective study

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Liver Disease Prognostics
• Quantitative Liver Function Tests

Background:

• Prognostic value of quantitative liver function tests in viral cirrhosis is debated.
• Galactose elimination capacity (GEC) and monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) are quantitative liver function tests.
• Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) are established prognostic scores.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the predictive accuracy of serial GEC and MEGX tests for survival in viral cirrhosis.
• To compare the prognostic performance of GEC and MEGX with CTP and MELD scores.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 35 viral cirrhosis patients was studied.
• GEC and MEGX were serially evaluated every 6 months for 24 months.
• Patient survival, death, or liver transplantation were recorded and compared with CTP and MELD scores.

Main Results:

• Basal GEC, MEGX, CTP, and MELD values differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors.
• CTP and MELD scores demonstrated higher prognostic accuracy than GEC and MEGX.
• Neither GEC nor MEGX were independent predictors of survival, even with repeated measures.

Conclusions:

• Single or repeated GEC and MEGX tests do not offer superior prognostic prediction compared to CTP and MELD scores in viral cirrhosis.
• CTP and MELD scores remain the preferred tools for assessing prognosis in this patient group.