Thyroid hormone, immunoglobin and complements for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is crucial for patients with compensated cirrhosis (CC) and decompensated cirrhosis (DC). Increasing evidence has revealed a connection between thyroid hormone (TH) and HCC, although this relationship remains contentious. Complements and immunoglobulin (Ig), which serve as surrogates of cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction, are associated with the severity and outcomes of liver cirrhosis (LC). To date, there is a lack of evidence supporting the recommendation of TH, Ig, and complement tests in patients at high risk of HCC.

Aim: To assess the predictive value of TH, Ig, and complements for HCC development.

Methods: Data from 142 patients, comprising 72 patients with CC and 70 patients with DC, were analysed as a training set. Among them, 100 patients who underwent complement and Ig tests were considered for internal validation. Logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors for HCC development.

Results: The median follow-up duration was 32 (24-37 months) months. The incidence of HCC was significantly higher in the DC group (16/70, 22.9%) compared to the CC group (3/72, 4.2%) (² = 10.698, < 0.01). Patients with DC exhibited lower total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine, complement C3, and C4 (all < 0.01), and higher IgA and IgG (both < 0.01). In both CC and DC patients, TT3 and TT4 positively correlated with alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). IgG positively correlated with IgM, IgA, ALT, and AST, while it negatively correlated with C3 and C4. Multivariable analysis indicated that age, DC status, and GGT were independent risk factors for HCC development.

Conclusion: The predictive value of TH, Ig, and complements for HCC development is suboptimal. Age, DC, and GGT emerge as more significant factors during HCC surveillance in hepatitis B virus-related LC.