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Updated: May 12, 2026
07:10
Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
Published on: June 18, 2020
Plasma copeptin, a possible prognostic marker in cirrhosis
José-Philippe Moreno1, Emilie Grandclement, Elisabeth Monnet
1Service d'Hépatologie et de Soins Intensifs Digestifs, Hôpital Jean Minjoz, Besançon, France.
Summary
Copeptin levels correlate with cirrhosis severity and predict mortality or liver transplant needs in patients with liver disease. High copeptin concentrations indicate a significantly increased risk, aiding in patient prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and critical care medicine.
- Biomarker research in liver disease.
Background:
- Copeptin, a marker released with vasopressin, has shown prognostic value in various diseases.
- Its role in cirrhosis, particularly concerning disease severity and patient outcomes, requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between copeptin plasma concentrations and the severity of cirrhosis.
- To evaluate the prognostic value of copeptin in predicting mortality or liver transplantation in cirrhotic patients.
Main Methods:
- Plasma copeptin levels were measured in 95 cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh A, B, C), 30 septic patients with severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh >8), and 16 healthy volunteers.
- Patients were monitored for at least 12 months for the composite endpoint of death or liver transplantation.
- Statistical analyses included receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for established prognostic scores like MELD and CRP.
Main Results:
- Median copeptin concentrations were significantly higher in septic patients and increased with cirrhosis severity.
- Copeptin demonstrated prognostic capability, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70 in ROC analysis, comparable to Child-Pugh and MELD scores.
- Patients in the highest copeptin tertile (>13 pmol/L) faced a 2.3-fold increased risk of death or liver transplantation after adjusting for MELD and CRP.
Conclusions:
- Copeptin levels rise proportionally with the severity of liver disease in cirrhotic patients.
- Elevated plasma copeptin concentrations are an independent predictor of 1-year mortality or liver transplantation in this patient group.
- Copeptin serves as a valuable prognostic biomarker in managing cirrhotic patients, alongside MELD score and C-reactive protein.
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