Red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio is a predictor of survival in hepatitis B virus-associated decompensated cirrhosis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) is associated with survival in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated decompensated cirrhosis (DC) patients.

Methods: A cohort of 167 patients with confirmed HBV-DC was enrolled in our study. Demographic characteristics and laboratory data were obtained. The main endpoint was mortality at 30 days. The receiver operating characteristic curve and multivariable regression analysis were used to assess the power of RAR for predicting prognosis.

Results: Mortality at 30 days was 11.4% (19/167). The RAR levels were higher in the nonsurvivors than the survivors, and elevated RAR levels were clearly associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, the predictive powers of RAR and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were not obviously different.

Conclusion: Our data indicate that RAR is a novel potential prognostic biomarker of mortality in HBV-DC.

Keywords: RAR; decompensated cirrhosis; hepatitis B virus; mortality; predictor; systemic inflammation.