a survey of correlation between insulin-like growth factor-i (igf-i) levels and severity of liver cirrhosis

results 100 patients with cirrhosis with a male to female ratio of 63:37 and a mean age of 44.4 ± 15 years were enrolled in the study. median igf-1 was 92.95 ± 91.51 ng/ml. 14 patients (14%) had igf-1 within normal limits while 86 patients (86%) had abnormal igf-1 levels. in all patients the correlation coefficient between igf-1 and meld was -0.317 (p = 0.001) and 0.478 between igf-1 and child- pugh (p < 0.001). conclusions our findings showed that igf-1 can be used as an index for evaluating the severity of cirrhosis; also it can be used for determining the severity of the disease, when liver biopsy is not possible. patients and method this was a descriptive-analytic cross sectional study performed on patients with cirrhosis admitted to gastroenterology clinic of imam khomeini hospital in tehran, iran during the years 2007-2008. the diagnosis was based on liver biopsy. initially for all patients, laboratory investigations including igf-1, cbc, liver enzymes, alkaline phosphates, serum albumin, creatinine, direct and total bilirubin were conducted. also ultrasound and endoscopy were performed for evaluation of ascites and varices. background insulin-like growth factor is a polypeptide with endocrine, autocrine and paracrine effects which its structure is similar to the insulin molecule. while various tissues secrete igf-1, 90% of the circulating igf-1 is secreted by liver. cirrhosis of liver is a condition accompanied by decreased level of igf-1, in which the level of igf-1 may be further decreased thorough the progression of the disease objectives the aim of the present study was to demonstrate the relation between the igf-1 levels and severity of liver disease according to child- pugh and model for end stage liver diseases (meld) scores.