Clinical value of MELD score combined with serum preaibumin in evaluating liver function damage

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical use of serum prealbumin (PA) in evaluating liver function damage. Methods Preoperative PA and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were retrospectively analyzed in 80 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension undergoing splenectomy and devascularization around the cardia. The correlation of preoperative PA level and MELD score with postoperative hepatic failure was also analyzed. Results The mean serum value of PA in the patients with hepatic failure was (79. 8 ± 28.5 ) mg/L, and that in thouse without hepatic failure was ( 149. 6 ±31.5 ) mg/L ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The sensitivity of using MELD score ≥9 to evaluate postoperative hepatic failure was 71.4%, that of PA ＜ 100 mg/L was 69. 6%, and that of MELD score ≥9 combined with PA ＜ 100mg/L was 82. 4% respectively (P ＜0. 01 ). The specificity of the three methods was 93%, 91.5% and 90. 5% respectively, with the difference being not significant (P ＞ 0. 05). Conclusion The serum level of PA could reflect the liver function damage sensitively and exactly. Preoperative MELD score combined with serum PA has good sensitivity and specificity in predicting postoperative hepatic failure and could be used clinically. Key words: Liver function; Evaluation; Prealbumin