Predicting mortality risk in patients with compensated HCV-induced cirrhosis: a long-term prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The identification of prognostic factors associated with mortality is crucial in any clinical setting.

METHODS: We enrolled in a prospective study 352 patients with compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced cirrhosis, consecutively observed between 1989 and 1992. At entry, patients underwent upper endoscopy to detect esophageal varices, and were then surveilled by serial clinical and ultrasonographic examination. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated with information collected at enrollment. Baseline predictors and intercurrent events associated with mortality were assessed using the Cox regression model.

RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 14.4 years, 194 subjects received a single course of interferon monotherapy, 131 patients developed decompensation (ascites, bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy), 109 patients had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 9 had liver transplant, and 158 died. Esophageal varices were associated with development of decompensation (hazard ratio (HR), 2.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33-3.30) and liver-related death (HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.41-3.66). A MELD score of > 10 predicted overall mortality (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.50-3.09). Overall survival of patients with MELD < or = 10 was 80% at 10 years. HCC occurrence increased the risk of decompensation fivefold (HR, 5.52; 95% CI, 3.77-8.09). Hepatic and overall mortality hazard ratios were 8.62 (95% CI, 5.57-13.3) and 3.80 (95% CI, 2.67-5.42), respectively, for patients who developed HCC, and 16.9 (95% CI, 9.97-28.6) and 7.08 (95% CI, 4.88-10.2) for those who experienced decompensation.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with compensated HCV-induced cirrhosis, the presence of esophageal varices at baseline predicted decompensation and mortality. The development of HCC during follow-up strongly hastens the occurrence of decompensation, which is the main determinant of death. Patients with a MELD score < or = 10 at study entry had a prolonged life expectancy.