Clinical effect of artificial liver support system on serum hs-CRP level in patients with hepatic failure

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of artificial liver support system ( ALSS) on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP) level and investigate the influence of the change in hs-CRP level on clinical prognosis among patients with hepatic failure.Methods Patients were recruited into three groups: group one included 60 patients who received ALSS due to hepatic failure; group two included 37 patients with hepatic failure without ALSS treatment; and group three included 37 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The serum levels of hs-CRP were measured in groups two and three, and in group one before and after ALSS treatment. Comparison of continuous data between groups was made by t test, and comparison of categorical data was made by chi-square test. Results The levels of hs-CRP in group one before treatment and in groups two and three were 12. 89 ± 9. 39, 12. 22 ± 9. 73, and 2. 83 ± 6. 79, respectively. No significant difference in hs-CRP level between group one and group two was observed ( P > 0. 05) . However, the hs-CRP level in group three was significantly different from those in group one and group two ( P < 0. 001) . The improvement rate in group one after ALSS treatment ( 78.3%) was significantly higher compared with that in group two ( 54.05%) ( χ2= 6. 315, P < 0. 05) . ALSS treatment ( t = 5. 179, P <0. 05) . ALSS treatment was selectively effective in a subgroup of patients and greatly decreased the hs-CRP level in these patients ( t =5. 344, P = 0. 000) , resulting in a significant difference from the patients who were unresponsive to ALSS treatment ( t = 2. 368, P =0. 038) . Conclusion Artificial liver support system can decrease the hs-CRP level in patients with hepatic failure. Serum level of hs-CRP can be used as a clinical indicator of disease progression and predict the clinical outcomes of ALSS in patients with hepatic failure.