Updates in characteristics and survival rates of cirrhosis in a nationwide cohort of real-world U.S. patients, 2003-2021.

Abstract

Adverse outcomes of cirrhosis remain a top priority. We examined the distribution of cirrhosis causes, HCC incidence and mortality and related changes over time in a nationwide U.S. A retrospective study of a national sample of commercially insured patients with cirrhosis from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (CDM). A total of 628,743 cirrhosis cases were identified with 45% having NAFLD, 19.5% HCV, and 16.3% ALD. African Americans had the highest rate of decompensation (60.6%), while Asians had the highest rate of HCC (2.4%), both p < 0.001. African Americans more frequently had HCV (28.4%) while Hispanic/Latinos more frequently had NAFLD (49.2%, p < 0.001). Patients in the 2014-2021 cohort were significantly older (63.0 ± 12.8 vs. 57.0 ± 14.3), less frequently decompensated (54.5% vs. 58.3%) but more frequently had HCC (1.7% vs. 0.6%) and NAFLD (46.5% vs. 44.2%), all p < 0.001. The overall annual incidence of HCC was 0.76% (95% CI: 0.75-0.77) with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 4.03% (95% CI: 3.98-4.09), with significant variation by sex, race/ethnicity, and cirrhosis aetiology. The overall median years of survival were 11.4 (95% CI: 11.3-11.5) with a 5-year cumulative survival of 73.4% (95% CI: 73.3%-73.6%), also with significant disparities in similar subgroups (lowest in cryptogenic cirrhosis and worse in 2014-2021 vs. 2003-2013). The 2014-2021 period was independently associated with worse survival (aHR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08-1.20). HCC incidence and survival vary by aetiology among patients with cirrhosis, with cryptogenic cirrhosis having the lowest survival and lower survival in the more recent time period.