TY - JOUR
T1 - Prognostic value of the galactose test in predicting survival of patients with cirrhosis evaluated for liver transplantation. A prospective multicenter Italian study
AU - Salerno, Francesco
AU - Borroni, Gianmario
AU - Moser, Pamela
AU - Sangiovanni, Angelo
AU - Almasio, Piero
AU - Budillon, Gabriele
AU - Capuano, Gaetano
AU - Muraca, Maurizio
AU - Marchesini, Giulio
AU - Bernardi, Mauro
AU - Marenco, Giorgio
AU - Molino, Gianpaolo
AU - Rossaro, Lorenzo
AU - Solinas, Antonio
AU - Ascione, Antonio
AU - Carpinelli, Luca
AU - Politi, Flavia
AU - Di Costanzo, Giovanni Giuseppe
AU - Boselli, Lucia
AU - Trevisani, Franco
AU - Fabbri, Andrea
AU - Sama, Claudia
AU - Giudici, Antonio
AU - Ponassi, Irene
AU - Di Napoli, Angelo
AU - Avagnina, Paolo
AU - Niro, Anna Grazia
AU - Deplano, Angelo
AU - Fabris, Luca
AU - Iemmolo, Rosa Maria
AU - Eko, Gerald
AU - Slavagnini, Mario
PY - 1996/10
Y1 - 1996/10
N2 - Aims/Methods: The present study aimed to examine whether the galactose elimination capacity can be used to predict the survival of patients with advanced liver disease. We studied 194 patients with cirrhosis, belonging to Child class B and C, for 2 years each. Results: The overall probability of survival was 79% at 6 months, 72% at 1 year and 62% at 2 years. Variables significantly associated with the duration of survival, as assessed by univariate analysis, were the Child-Pugh score, presence of ascites, size of esophageal varices, prothrombin time, albumin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose and galactose elimination capacity. By a multivariable analysis, only Pugh score (p = 0.005), creatinine (p < 0.001), varices (p = 0.001) and galactose elimination capacity (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of mortality. The galactose elimination capacity was even more sensitive when the endpoint was limited to deaths due to liver failure and hepatorenal syndrome. A new score obtained by summing the Pugh score with a score derived from galactose elimination capacity was quite simple and accurate for predicting survival. Conclusions: The quantitative measurement of liver function as the galactose elimination capacity could be of use to identify patients with cirrhosis and probable short survival who might benefit most from urgent transplantation.
AB - Aims/Methods: The present study aimed to examine whether the galactose elimination capacity can be used to predict the survival of patients with advanced liver disease. We studied 194 patients with cirrhosis, belonging to Child class B and C, for 2 years each. Results: The overall probability of survival was 79% at 6 months, 72% at 1 year and 62% at 2 years. Variables significantly associated with the duration of survival, as assessed by univariate analysis, were the Child-Pugh score, presence of ascites, size of esophageal varices, prothrombin time, albumin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose and galactose elimination capacity. By a multivariable analysis, only Pugh score (p = 0.005), creatinine (p < 0.001), varices (p = 0.001) and galactose elimination capacity (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of mortality. The galactose elimination capacity was even more sensitive when the endpoint was limited to deaths due to liver failure and hepatorenal syndrome. A new score obtained by summing the Pugh score with a score derived from galactose elimination capacity was quite simple and accurate for predicting survival. Conclusions: The quantitative measurement of liver function as the galactose elimination capacity could be of use to identify patients with cirrhosis and probable short survival who might benefit most from urgent transplantation.
KW - Child-Pugh score
KW - Galactose
KW - Liver transplantation
KW - Survival
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U2 - 10.1016/S0168-8278(96)80206-6
DO - 10.1016/S0168-8278(96)80206-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 8912146
AN - SCOPUS:0030273694
VL - 25
SP - 474
EP - 480
JO - Journal of Hepatology
JF - Journal of Hepatology
SN - 0168-8278
IS - 4
ER -