학술논문

Outpatient albumin infusions reduce hospitalizations and improve outcomes in decompensated cirrhosis: A real‐world cohort study
Document Type
Report
Source
JGH Open. August 2023, Vol. 7 Issue 8, p537, 8 p.
Subject
Analysis
Development and progression
Patient outcomes
Diuretics -- Analysis
Hypertension -- Development and progression -- Patient outcomes
Type 2 diabetes -- Patient outcomes -- Development and progression
Medical research -- Analysis
Albumin -- Analysis
Liver cirrhosis -- Development and progression -- Patient outcomes
Comorbidity -- Patient outcomes -- Development and progression
Liver -- Analysis
Medicine, Experimental -- Analysis
Language
English
Abstract
Introduction Decompensated cirrhosis accounts for the main burden of disease in patients with liver disease.[sup.1] Hospitalization rates for decompensating events are increasing,[sup.2] with symptomatic ascites the most common cause for [...]
: Background and Aim: Long‐term human albumin (HA) infusions improve survival in cirrhotic patients with diuretic resistant ascites. We aimed to determine whether there is a significant benefit in a more unwell real‐world cohort. Methods: This is a single‐center retrospective cohort study. Patients received outpatient HA between April 2017 and June 2021. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, cirrhosis with ascites, and received at least 1 month of HA. Patients with significant comorbidities and ongoing alcohol use were not excluded. Outcomes assessed were transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)/transplant‐free survival (TTFS), and biochemical and prognostic outcomes. Results: Twenty‐four patients were included. Median age was 59.5 years. Seven were female (29.2%). Etiology included were alcohol (50%), non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (16.7%), and viral/alcohol (12.5%). Median model for end‐stage liver disease‐sodium (MELD‐Na) was 18.5, with Child–Pugh scores (CPS) A (4.2%), B (50%), and C (45.8%). Improvements in serum sodium (P = 0.014), albumin (P = 0.003), and CPS (P = 0.017) were observed. Reduction in hospitalizations (P = 0.001), particularly portal hypertensive related admissions was observed (relative risk 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21–0.69, P = 0.003), needed to treat 2.09 (95% CI 1.25–3.67). There was a reduction in total paracentesis requirements (P = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly increased risk of TIPS/transplant/death (hazard ratio 6.16; 95% CI 1.23–30.84, P = 0.027). Median TTFS improved in patients with a change in MELD‐Na ≤1 at 1 month: 29.4 months versus 7.7 months (P = 0.011). Conclusion: Outpatient HA infusions decrease portal hypertensive related hospital admissions, improve serum sodium, albumin levels, and CPS. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and change in MELD‐Na score help discriminate those likely to benefit most.