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Refining Renal Prognosis in Patients with Cirrhosis

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol; 2017 Jul; Puthumana, et al

Measuring urinary levels of interleukin 18 (IL18) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients with cirrhosis can help distinguish between acute tubular necrosis and other causes of acute kidney injury. To reach that conclusion, researchers reviewed 8 studies, including over 1,000 patients with cirrhosis. Their analysis revealed:

  • Urinary IL18 and NGAL levels were able to identify patients who would die in the hospital or within 90 days.
  • The researchers suggest that both biomarkers may help estimate patients’ prognosis and guide the best treatment options for patients with cirrhosis.

Citation:

Puthumana J, Ariza X, Belcher JM, et al. Urine interleukin 18 and lipocalin 2 are biomarkers of acute tubular necrosis in patients with cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;15:1003-1013.e3.