Prognostic value of Gc-globulin in Chinese patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure.

OBJECTIVE To determine dynamic Gc-globulin level change in Acute-on-Chronic Hepatitis B Liver Failure (ACHBLF) patients, and evaluate the prognostic value of Gc-globulin. STUDY DESIGN An analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, from January 2010 to December 2012. METHODOLOGY A total of 54 consecutive Chinese ACHBLF patients and 30 healthy volunteers as controls were recruited from 2010 to 2012. The patients were divided into improved group and aggravated group. Gc-globulin levels were determined in both groups and mean values compared with significance at p < 0.05. Cut-off value was also determined. RESULTS The Gc-globulin level was significantly decreased in ACHBLF patients (p < 0.001). Gc-globulin levels were significantly higher in improved patients than in aggravated patients, and a 215 mg/L cut-off value carried the best prognostic information. On longitudinal observations, Gc-globulin gradually elevated in improved groups. However, in aggravated groups, the Gc-globulin levels were always below normal levels and no significant change was observed before or after the treatment (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Gc-globulin monitoring offers a rapid and accurate method to estimate treatment outcomes on admission and an effective temporal indicator of curative effects in ACHBLF patients at an optimal cut-off value of 215 mg/L.