Abstract
AIM: To investigate the relationship between osteopontin plasma concentrations and the severity of portal hypertension and to assess osteopontin prognostic value. METHODS: A cohort of 154 patients with confirmed liver cirrhosis (112 ethylic, 108 men, age 34-72 years) were enrolled in the study.
Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and laboratory and ultrasound examinations were carried out for all patients. HVPG was measured using a standard catheterization method with the balloon wedge technique.
Osteopontin was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in plasma. Patients were followed up with a specific focus on mortality.
The control group consisted of 137 healthy age- and sex- matched individuals. RESULTS: The mean value of HVPG was 16.18 +/- 5.6 mmHg.
Compared to controls, the plasma levels of osteopontin in cirrhotic patients were significantly higher (P 10 mmHg and 65% for those with HVPG <= 10 mmHg (P = 0.0086, odds ratio (OR), 2.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-7.76). Osteopontin showed a similar prognostic value to HVPG.
Patients with osteopontin values above 80 ng/mL had significantly lower cumulative survival compared to those with osteopontin <= 80 ng/mL (37% vs 56%, P = 0.00035; OR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.06-4.68). CONCLUSION: Osteopontin is a non-invasive parameter of portal hypertension that distinguishes patients with clinically significant portal hypertension.
It is a strong prognostic factor for survival.