The Free Triiodothyronine, Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Index: A Novel Model for Predicting 1-Year Mortality in Patients with HBV-Related Hepatic Encephalopathy

Abstract

Background and Aims Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is characterized by neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and/or liver failure. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of thyroid hormone in patients with HE. Methods Patients with DC and HE were enrolled, and multivariate logistic analysis was conducted to analyze the risk factors for 1-year mortality. Results Among the 81 patients with HBV-related DC and HE, 9 (11.1%) died within 3 months, and 15 (18.5%) died within the first year. More patients with FT3 < 3.5pmol/L had ascites (33.3% vs 8.9%, P<0.01) and higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) (Z=3.669, P<0.01). Additionally, free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were lower in the non-survivor group (P<0.01). FT3 exhibited a negative correlation with international normalized ratio and MELD (both P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that FT3, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) were independent risk factors for 1-year mortality of HE. A new model incorporating FT3, GTT, and SBP demonstrated superiority to MELD based on the AUROC (0.9 and 0.752, P=0.04). Conclusion Low FT3, but not thyroid-stimulating hormone and free tetraiodothyronine, was identified as an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality in patients with DC and HE. The newly proposed prognostic model, which includes FT3, GTT, and SBP, holds significant predictive value.