Survival and prognostic factors in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

AIM: To investigate the survival rates and prognostic factors in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). METHODS: Clinical data in hospitalized patients with HBV-ACLF admitted from 2006 to 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Their general conditions and survival were analyzed by survival analysis and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients were included in this study. The overall 1-year survival rate was 57.6%. Patients not treated with antiviral drugs had a significantly higher mortality [relative risk (RR) = 0.609, P = 0.014]. The highest risk of death in patients with ACLF was associated with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) (RR = 2.084, P =0.026), while other significant factors were electrolyte disturbances (RR = 2.062, P = 0.010), and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (RR = 1.879, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Antiviral therapy has a strong effect on the prognosis of the patients with HBV-ACLF by improving their 1-year survival rate. HRS, electrolyte disturbances, and HE also affect patient survival. (C) 2011 Baishideng. All rights reserved.