LIPID PROFILE OF CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PROGNOSTIC SCORES: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
In cirrhosis the production of cholesterol and lipoproteins is altered.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the lipid profile by measuring total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels in patients with cirrhosis caused by alcoholism and/or hepatitis C virus infection and determine its association with Child-Pugh and MELD scores.


METHODS
Cross-sectional retrospective study of patients treated at the outpatient clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from 2006 to 2010.


RESULTS
In total, 314 records were reviewed, and 153 (48.7%) met the inclusion criteria, of which 82 (53.6%) had cirrhosis that was due to hepatitis C virus infection, 50 (32.7%) were due to alcoholism, and 21 (13.7%) were due to alcoholism and hepatitis C virus infection. The total cholesterol levels diminished with a Child-Pugh progression (P<0.001). Child-Pugh C was significantly associated with lover levels of low-density lipoprotein (<70 mg/dL; P<0.001), high-density lipoprotein (<40 mg/dL; P<0.001) and triglyceride (<70 mg/dL; P=0.003). MELD>20 was associated with lower total cholesterol levels (<100mg/dL; P<0.001), very low-density lipoprotein (<16 mg/dL; P=0.006), and low-density lipoprotein (<70 mg/dL; P=0.003). Inverse and statistically significant correlations were observed between Child-Pugh and all the lipid fractions analyzed (P<0.001). The increase in MELD was inversely correlated with reduced levels in total cholesterol (P<0.001), high-density lipoprotein (P<0.001), low-density lipoprotein (P<0.001), very low-density lipoprotein (P=0.030) and triglyceride (P=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
A reduction in the lipid profile in patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus infection and/or alcoholism was significantly associated with the Child-Pugh and MELD prognostic markers. These results suggest that the lipid profile may be used as a tool to assist in evaluating liver disease.
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BR.
Lílian
L
Bassani
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BR.
Sabrina Alves
SA
Fernandes
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BR.
Fabiana Viegas
FV
Raimundo
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BR.
Daniele Lazzarotto
DL
Harter
Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, BR.
Maria Cristina
MC
Gonzalez
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BR.
Cláudio Augusto
CA
Marroni
D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D001938:Brazil; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol