Albumin-to-bilirubin score for assessing the in-hospital death in cirrhosis

Construction of a predictive model for acute liver failure after hepatectomy based on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and albumin-bilirubin score

BACKGROUND

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a common cause of postoperative death in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is a serious threat to patient safety. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a common inflammatory indicator that is associated with the prognosis of various diseases, and the albumin-bilirubin score (ALBI) is used to evaluate liver function in liver cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed to construct a predictive model for postoperative ALF in HCC tumor integrity resection (R0) based on the NLR and ALBI, providing a basis for clinicians to choose appropriate treatment plans.

AIM

To construct an ALF prediction model after R0 surgery for HCC based on NLR and ALBI.

METHODS

In total, 194 patients with HCC who visited The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang to receive R0 between May 2018 and May 2023 were enrolled and divided into the ALF and non-ALF groups. We compared differences in the NLR and ALBI between the two groups. The risk factors of ALF after R0 surgery for HCC were screened in the univariate analysis. Independent risk factors were analyzed by multifactorial logistic regression. We then constructed a prediction model of ALF after R0 surgery for HCC. A receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the value of the prediction model.

RESULTS

Among 194 patients with HCC who met the standard inclusion criteria, 46 cases of ALF occurred after R0 (23.71%). There were significant differences in the NLR and ALBI between the two groups (P < 0.05). The univariate analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and blood loss volume (BLV) were significantly higher in the ALF group compared with the non-ALF group (P < 0.05). The multifactorial analysis showed that NLR, ALBI, AFP, and BLV were independent risk factors for ALF after R0 surgery in HCC. The predictive efficacy of NLR, ALBI, AFP, and BLV in predicting the occurrence of ALT after R0 surgery for HCC was average [area under the curve (AUC)NLR = 0.767, AUCALBI = 0.755, AUCAFP = 0.599, AUCBLV = 0.718]. The prediction model for ALF after R0 surgery for HCC based on NLR and ALBI had a better predictive efficacy (AUC = 0.916). The calibration curve and actual curve were in good agreement. DCA showed a high net gain and that the model was safer compared to the curve in the extreme case over a wide range of thresholds.

CONCLUSION

The prediction model based on NLR and ALBI can effectively predict the risk of developing ALF after HCC R0 surgery, providing a basis for clinical prevention of developing ALF after HCC R0 surgery.

The Association Between the Albumin-Bilirubin Score and Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score is considered an effective and convenient scoring system for assessing liver function. We hypothesized that the ALBI score was predictive of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and long-term mortality in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We retrospectively observed 5629 patients undergoing elective PCI. Contrast-associated acute kidney injury is defined as a 50% or 0.3 mg/dl increase in baseline serum creatinine levels within 48 h of contrast exposure. The incidence of CA-AKI was 6.2% (n = 350). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, multivariate analysis showed that the ALBI score was an independent predictor of CA-AKI (P = .002). A restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed approximately linear relationships between the ALBI score and risks of CA-AKI. Furthermore, at a median follow-up of 2.8 years, multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the ALBI score was an independent risk factor for long-term mortality (P < .001). The ALBI score was closely related to the occurrence of CA-AKI and long-term mortality in patients who underwent elective PCI. This score might be useful for risk stratification in high-risk patient groups to predict CA-AKI.

Development of a nomogram for predicting 90-day mortality in patients with sepsis-associated liver injury

The high mortality rate in sepsis patients is related to sepsis-associated liver injury (SALI). We sought to develop an accurate forecasting nomogram to estimate individual 90-day mortality in SALI patients. Data from 34,329 patients were extracted from the public Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database. SALI was defined by total bilirubin (TBIL) > 2 mg/dL and the occurrence of an international normalized ratio (INR) > 1.5 in the presence of sepsis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish a prediction model called the nomogram based on the training set (n = 727), which was subsequently subjected to internal validation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SALI was an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with sepsis. The Kaplan‒Meier curves for 90-day survival were different between the SALI and non-SALI groups after propensity score matching (PSM) (log rank: P < 0.001 versus P = 0.038), regardless of PSM balance. The nomogram demonstrated better discrimination than the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, logistic organ dysfunction system (LODS) score, simplified acute physiology II (SAPS II) score, and Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score in the training and validation sets, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.778 (95% CI 0.730-0.799, P < 0.001) and 0.804 (95% CI 0.713-0.820, P < 0.001), respectively. The calibration plot showed that the nomogram was sufficiently successful to predict the probability of 90-day mortality in both groups. The DCA of the nomogram demonstrated a higher net benefit regarding clinical usefulness than SOFA, LODS, SAPSII, and ALBI scores in the two groups. The nomogram performs exceptionally well in predicting the 90-day mortality rate in SALI patients, which can be used to assess the prognosis of patients with SALI and may assist in guiding clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes.

Liver Function—How to Screen and to Diagnose: Insights from Personal Experiences, Controlled Clinical Studies and Future Perspectives

Acute and chronic liver disease is a relevant problem worldwide. Liver function plays a crucial role in the course of liver diseases not only in estimating prognosis but also with regard to therapeutic interventions. Within this review, we discuss and evaluate different tools from screening to diagnosis and give insights from personal experiences, controlled clinical studies and future perspectives. Finally, we offer our novel diagnostic algorithm to screen patients with presumptive acute or chronic liver disease in the daily clinical routine.

Prognostic impact of albumin-bilirubin score on the prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Liver dysfunction is prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) and can lead to poor prognosis. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score is considered as an effective and convenient scoring system for assessing liver function. We analysed the correlation between ALBI and in-hospital mortality in patients with HF.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 9749 patients with HF (from January 2013 to December 2018) was enrolled and retrospectively analysed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome is in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

ALBI score was calculated using the formula (log₁₀ bilirubin [umol/L] * 0.66) + (albumin [g/L] * -0.085), and analysed as a continuous variable as well as according to three categories. Following adjustment for multivariate analysis, patients which occurred in-hospital death was remarkably elevated in tertile 3 group (ALBI ≥2.27) (OR 1.671, 95% CI 1.228 to 2.274, p=0.001), relative to the other two groups (tertile 1: ≤2.59; tertile 2: -2.59 to -2.27). Considering ALBI score as a continuous variable, the in-hospital mortality among patients with HF increased by 8.2% for every 0.1-point increase in ALBI score (OR 1.082; 95% CI 1.052 to 1.114; p<0.001). The ALBI score for predicting in-hospital mortality under C-statistic was 0.650 (95% CI 0.641 to 0.660, p<0.001) and the cut-off value of ALBI score was -2.32 with a specificity of 0.630 and a sensitivity of 0.632. Moreover, ALBI score can enhance the predictive potential of NT-pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP +ALBI vs NT-pro-BNP: C-statistic: z=1.990, p=0.0467; net reclassification improvement=0.4012, p<0.001; integrated discrimination improvement=0.0082, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HF, the ALBI score was an independent prognosticator of in-hospital mortality. The predictive significance of NT-proBNP +ALBI score was superior to NT-proBNP, and ALBI score can enhance the predictive potential of NT-proBNP.

Lower serum chloride concentrations are associated with increased risk of mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients: an analysis of the MIMIC-III database

Background

Cirrhosis can be complicated by electrolyte abnormalities, but the major focus has been concentrated on the clinical significance of serum sodium levels. Emerging studies have identified hypochloremia as an independent prognostic marker in patients with chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum chloride levels were associated with mortality of critically ill cirrhotic patients.

Methods

Critically ill cirrhotic patients were identified from the Multi-parameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care III Database. The primary outcome was ICU mortality. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between serum chloride levels and ICU mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) was used to assess the performance of serum chloride levels for predicting ICU mortality.

Results

A total of 1216 critically ill cirrhotic patients were enrolled in this study. The overall ICU mortality rate was 18.8%. Patients with hypochloremia had a higher ICU mortality than those with non-hypochloremia (34.2% vs. 15.8%; p < 0.001). After multivariable risk adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, chloride, sodium, Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Elixhauser comorbidity index, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, renal replacement therapy, acute kidney injury, hemoglobin, platelet, and white blood cell, serum chloride levels remained independently associated with ICU mortality (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91–0.98; p = 0.002) in contrast to serum sodium levels, which were no longer significant (OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.99–1.08; p = 0.119). The AUC of serum chloride levels (AUC, 0.600; 95% CI 0.556–0.643) for ICU mortality was statistically higher than that of serum sodium levels (AUC, 0.544; 95% CI 0.499–0.590) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In critically ill cirrhotic patients, serum chloride levels are independently and inversely associated with ICU mortality, thus highlighting the prognostic role of serum chloride levels which are largely overlooked.

Preoperative Albumin-Bilirubin Grade as a Prognostic Predictor in Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Undergo Radical Resection

Purpose

The relationship between liver function and colorectal cancer without liver metastases has not been explored. Therefore, we investigated whether the preoperative albumin-bilirubin grade could predict the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing radical resection, and we designed a quantifiable predictive model.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 284 patients with CRC who underwent radical resection in the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Wenzhou Medical University between January 2011 and January 2016. Patients were divided in two groups according to the calculated cut-off: the high albumin-bilirubin (>-2.48) grade and low albumin-bilirubin (≤-2.48) grade group. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare the overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for postoperative complications and OS.

Results

Patients with a high albumin-bilirubin grade (n = 165, 58.1%) had a higher rate of postoperative complications (38.2% versus 17.6%, P < 0.001), especially medical (19.4% versus 6.7%, P = 0.002) and severe complications (1.7% versus 7.3%, P = 0.032). They also had a shorter OS (mean survival time, 47.6 versus 54.3 months, P = 0.005), especially patients with tumor-node-metastasis stage III (42.7 months versus 51.6 months, P = 0.036). Age ≥ 70 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, P = 0.003) and high albumin-bilirubin grade (OR = 2.71, P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications, while age ≥ 70 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.65, P < 0.001), high albumin-bilirubin grade (HR = 1.81, P = 0.033), tumor-node-metastasis stage II (HR = 13.83, P = 0.010) and III (HR = 23.66, P = 0.002) were independent risk factors of OS.

Conclusion

Preoperative albumin-bilirubin grade could predict postoperative complications (especially medical and severe complications) and OS in patients with CRC, especially in those with tumor-node-metastasis stage III.

Prediction of esophageal varices in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis using albumin-bilirubin, platelets-albumin-bilirubin score, albumin-bilirubin-platelets grade, and GAR

Background

Development of esophageal varices (EVs) is the main complication of portal hypertension. Early detection prevents variceal bleeding. Baveno VI consensus recommended endoscopy if transient elastography (TE) > 20 kPa and platelets below 150,000/mm3.

Aim

Assessment of the reliability of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI), platelets-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI), albumin-bilirubin-platelets (ALBI-PLT) score, and gamma-glutamyl transferase-platelets (GAR) ratio as non-invasive models for prediction of EVs presence and the need for endoscopy in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.

Methods

HCV-related F4 fibrosis by TE or cirrhosis patients were included (n = 661). Full metabolic profile, CBC, ultrasonography, and endoscopy were done.

Results

The average age was 42.89 years mainly males. Patients with EVs had statistically significant (p < 0.05) higher TE values, ALBI, ALBI-PLT, and PALBI than those without EVs. Both groups were comparable for GAR. Large varices were statistically (p < 0.05) associated with higher ALBI, ALBI-PLT, and PALBI. Both small and large varices had comparable TE and GAR. EVs detection cutoffs (sensitivity, specificity): TE > 20 kPa (83.64%, 91.62%), ALBI >− 2.43 (81.28%, 74.89%), ALBI-PLT > 3 (77.34%, 72.93%), and PALBI >− 2.28 (62.1%, 76.4%). On comparison of the ROCs, TE was better than ALBI (p < 0.05), ALBI-PLT, and PALBI. ALBI was better than ALBI-PLT and PALBI. Both ALBI-PLT and PALBI are comparable (p > 0.05). Positive indirect hemagglutination of schistosomiasis, portal vein diameter, splenic vein diameter, TE, ALBI, ALBI-PLT, and PALBI were independent predictors of EVs existence. On multivariate analysis, portal vein diameter, TE, and ALBI score were significant.

Conclusion

The ALBI, ALBI-PLT, and PALBI are useful predictors of EVs presence and the need of diagnostic endoscopy especially in centers that lack FibroScan.

Assessing the Prognostic Performance of the Child-Pugh, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, and Albumin-Bilirubin Scores in Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Large Asian Cohort from Gastroenterology Department

Background and Aim. Various methods, including the Child-Pugh score, the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, the MELD combined with serum sodium concentration (MELD-Na) score, the integrated MELD (iMELD) score, and the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, have been widely used for predicting the survival of decompensated cirrhosis (DeCi) patients. In this study, we defined and compared the prognostic value of these scores to predict mortality in DeCi patients.

Pre-transplant ALBI Grade 3 Is Associated with Increased Mortality After Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Although MELD score is a reliable tool for estimating mortality in the waiting list, criteria for preoperative prediction of survival after liver transplantation (LT) are lacking. ALBI score was validated as a prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization, hepatic resection, and sorafenib treatment but not for LT outcomes yet. This study aimed to evaluate ALBI score as a prognostic factor in LT.

METHODS

This is a single-center analysis of patients undergoing LT between October 2001 and June 2017. Primary endpoint was overall post-LT mortality. Secondary endpoint was 90-day mortality.

RESULTS

Of all 301 patients included in this study, 185 (61.5%) were males. The median age was 54.1 ± 11.3 years. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that ALBI grade 3 (HR 1.836, 95% CI 1.154-2.921, p = 0.010), low serum albumin (HR 0.628, 95% CI 0.441-0.893, p = 0.010), black race (HR 2.431, 95% CI 1.160-5.092, p = 0.019), and elevated body mass index (HR 1.061, 95% CI 1.022-1.102, p = 0.002) all were associated with decreased overall survival following LT. Patients with both ALBI grade 3 (n = 25) and calculated MELD score ≥ 25 had the lowest overall survival (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

ALBI grade 3 was related to lower post-LT survival and can be utilized as a tool for risk stratification in LT.

The ability of the new ALBI scoring in predicting mortality, complications and prognostic comparison among cirrhotics

Introduction

Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) is a newly devised scoring system for prognostication of liver cirrhosis. The ALBI has recently been validated and found superior to Child-Turcotte-Pugh score (CTP) and Model for End stage Liver Disease (MELD) in assessing severity of liver disease.

Aim

To determine the ALBI score's mortality prediction among cirrhotics, associated complications and to compare its prognostic proficiency to that of MELD and CTP.

Material and methods

The diagnostic accuracy of CTP, MELD and ALBI scores for mortality in hospitalized cirrhotic patients was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The areas under the ROC curve were calculated, with confidence intervals (CI) of 95%. The best cut-off values were ascertained with the greatest specificity and sensitivity.

Results

The study showed overall in-hospital mortality of 25.5%. Median CTP score was 10.2 (IQR = 3) and area under curve (AUC) was 0.842 (95% CI: 0.817-0.868, p < 0.001) with sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 79.2%. Median MELD score was 20.9 (IQR = 7.2) and AUC was 0.836 (95% CI: 0.810-0.863, p < 0.001) with sensitivity of 76.6% and specificity of 76.7%. Median ALBI score was -1.1 (IQR = 1.0), and AUC of ALBI was 0.852 (95% CI: 0.826-0.879, p < 0.001) with sensitivity and specificity of 78.1%.

Conclusions

The objective prognostication and easy utilization of ALBI make it a useful alternative to MELD and CTP and therefore favour its applicability in clinical practice. Further validations in large prospective cohorts are needed for prognostic value of ALBI in cirrhosis and its complications.

Prognostic Value of Baseline ALBI Score Among Patients With Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Pooled Analysis of Two Randomized Trials

BACKGROUND

Baseline albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score has been shown to be a reliable prognostic predictor among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The current study aims at evaluating its prognostic impact among patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with first-line systemic therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Through the Project Data Sphere portal, de-identified clinical trial datasets of 2 clinical trials (NCT00115765; PACCE [Panitumumab Advanced Colorectal Cancer Evaluation Study] trial) and (NCT00364013; PRIME [Panitumumab Randomized Trial In Combination With Chemotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer to Determine Efficacy] trial) were downloaded. Baseline ALBI score was calculated for each included patient in this study. Kaplan-Meier curve/log-rank testing was used to evaluate overall and progression-free survival according to ALBI grades. Additional Cox regression models were run in order to evaluate factors affecting overall and progression-free survival. Factors with P-value < .05 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1434 patients with colorectal liver metastases were included in this study. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to assess the impact of ALBI grade on overall and progression-free survival in the study cohort. For both endpoints, higher ALBI grade was associated with worse overall and progression-free survival (P < .001 for both endpoints). The following factors were significant for overall survival in univariate Cox regression analysis (P < .05): age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), number of metastatic sites, body mass index, and ALBI score. When these factors were evaluated in multivariate Cox regression analysis, the following factors were predictive of worse overall survival: higher ALBI score (P < .001), higher number of metastatic sites (P < .001), higher LDH (P < .001), higher ECOG score (P < .001), and older age (P < .001). Similarly, the following factors were significant for progression-free survival in univariate Cox regression analysis (P < .05): age, race, ECOG score, LDH, number of metastatic sites, body mass index, type of chemotherapy, and ALBI score. When these factors were evaluated in multivariate Cox regression analysis, the following factors were predictive of worse progression-free survival: higher ECOG score (P < .001), higher LDH level (P < .001), higher number of metastatic sites (P < .001), and higher ALBI score (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher baseline ALBI score is associated with worse overall and progression-free survival among patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with first-line systemic therapy.