ABSTRACT
Infections and sepsis represent severe liver cirrhosis (LC) complications and the precipitating factors of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The early diagnosis and treatment of infections in patients with LC and HE can significantly increase their survival. Presepsin is a serum biomarker evaluated for the early diagnosis of infections and sepsis in the general and cirrhotic populations. This study aimed to evaluate the role of presepsin in the early diagnosis of infections in patients with LC and HE. This prospective observational study included all consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted to our tertiary university center with overt HE. The patients were follow-up until discharge. In this study, we included 365 patients with a median age of 59 years, of whom 61.9% were male. Infections were diagnosed in 134 patients (36.7%). The presepsin level was higher in patients with infections than those without infections (3167 vs. 500, p < 0.001). The ROC analysis results demonstrated that the best cut-off value for presepsin in infections detection was 980 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 80.17%, specificity of 82.5% (AUROC 0.869, CI 95%: 0.819−0.909, p < 0.001, Youden index J of 0.622), a positive predictive value of 40.63%, and a negative predictive value of 96.53%. In conclusion, in patients with LC and overt HE, presepsin levels >980 pg/mL could enhance the suspicion of bacterial infections. Presepsin may be an adequate non-invasive tool for the early diagnosis of infections in patients with LC and overt HE.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Bacterial infections represent one of the most frequent precipitating events of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in a patient with liver cirrhosis (LC). Early diagnosis and treatment could influence the ACLF reversal rate and decrease the mortality rate in these patients. The study aimed to evaluate the role of presepsin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) in the early diagnosis of bacterial infections in patients with LC and ACLF, defined according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver-Chronic Liver Failure Consortium (EASL-CLIF) criteria. Material and Methods: We performed a prospective observational study including all consecutive cirrhotic patients with ACLF admitted to our tertiary university center. The patients were follow-up until discharge. All patients were screened for infection at admission, and we included patients with community-acquired or healthcare-associated bacterial infections. Results: In this study, we included 153 patients with a median age of 60 years, of whom 65.4% were male. Infections were diagnosed in 71 patients (46.4%). The presepsin, CRP, and PCT levels were higher in patients with infections than in those without infections (p < 0.001, p = 0.023, and p < 0.001, respectively). The ROC analysis results demonstrated that the best cut-offs values for infections diagnosis were for presepsin 2300 pg/mL (sensitivity of 81.7%, specificity of 92.7%, AUROC 0.959, p < 0.001), CRP 5.3 mg/dL (sensitivity of 54.9%, specificity of 69.6%, AUROC 0.648, p = 0.023), and PCT 0.9 ng/mL (sensitivity of 80.3%, specificity of 86.6%, AUROC 0.909, p < 0.001). Presepsin (OR 3.65, 95%CI 1.394−9.588, p = 0.008), PCT (OR 9.79, 95%CI 6.168−25.736, p < 0.001), and MELD score (OR 7.37, 95%CI 1.416−18.430, p = 0.018) were associated with bacterial infections in patients with ACLF. Conclusion: Presepsin level ≥2300 pg/mL and PCT level ≥0.9 ng/mL may be adequate non-invasive tools for the early diagnosis of infections in cirrhotics with ACLF.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: High venous ammonia (VA) values have been proven to be a part of the mechanism of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) as well as acute hepatitis. Moreover, VA has been associated with poor prognosis and high mortality in these clinical settings. However, the role of ammonia in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has not yet been clearly established. AIM: To assess the role of VA in predicting the outcome of cirrhotic patients with ACLF in a tertiary care center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study including consecutive patients with LC hospitalized for acute non-elective indications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, or bacterial infections that fulfilled the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) criteria for ACLF. The study was conducted in "St. Spiridon" University Hospital, Iasi, Romania, a tertiary care center, between January 2017 and January 2019. The APASL ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) score was calculated and ACLF grade was established accordingly. West-haven classification was used for HE. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-six patients were included, aged 59 (50-65) years, 57.4% men. Child-Pugh, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and AARC scores were 11 (10-12), 19.13 ± 6.79, and 7 (6-8), respectively. 66.4% had ACLF grade I, 31.2% ACLF grade II, and 2.5% ACLF grade III. HE was diagnosed in 83.9%, 34% grade I, 37.2% grade II, 23.5% grade III, and 5.3% grade IV. Overall mortality was 7.8%. VA was 103 (78-148) µmol/L. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed good accuracy for the prediction of in-hospital mortality for the AARC score [Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.886], MELD score (AUC = 0.816), VA (AUC = 0.812) and a fair accuracy for the Child-Pugh score (AUC = 0.799). Subsequently, a cut-off value for the prediction of mortality was identified for VA (152.5 µmol/L, sensitivity = 0.706, 1-specificity = 0.190). Univariate analysis found acute kidney injury, severe HE (grade III or IV), VA ≥ 152.5 µmol/L, MELD score ≥ 22.5, Child-Pugh score ≥ 12.5, and AARC score ≥ 8.5 to be associated with in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis identified AARC score ≥ 8.5 and venous ammonia ≥ 152 µmol/L to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: VA could be used as an inexpensive predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with ACLF. Patients with both ACLF and VA > 152.5 µmol/L have a high risk for a poor outcome.
