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Association between Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in Patients

Chuanmeng Zhang1, Jiayuan Wu2, Juan Xu3

  • 1Department of Central Laboratory, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, 225300 Jiangsu Province, China.

Disease Markers
|December 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) can predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in patients with chronic hepatitis. Elevated APRI levels, both before and after treatment, are associated with a higher likelihood of developing HCC.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology and Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • The Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) is a common tool for assessing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis patients.
  • The predictive value of APRI for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in this population is not definitively established.
  • This meta-analysis aims to clarify the association between APRI and HCC development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prognostic value of the Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk.
  • To analyze the association between APRI and HCC occurrence using data from multiple cohort studies.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of cohort studies from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI databases up to May 1, 2019.
  • Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Stata 12.0 for meta-analysis.
  • Analysis included both pretreatment and posttreatment APRI levels and subgroup analyses based on hepatitis type, region, and study characteristics.

Main Results:

  • 13 studies with 8897 patients were included.
  • Elevated pretreatment APRI significantly correlated with increased HCC risk (HR = 2.56).
  • High pretreatment APRI predicted HCC in chronic hepatitis B and C, but not alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Posttreatment APRI also indicated higher HCC risk (HR = 3.69).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) is significantly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis.
  • APRI demonstrates potential as a valuable predictive biomarker for HCC risk in individuals with chronic liver disease.
  • Both pretreatment and posttreatment APRI levels are important indicators of HCC risk.
Abstract

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