Easy albumin–bilirubin score as a new prognostic predictor in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Liver functional reserve is a major prognostic determinant in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score is an objective method to assess the severity of cirrhosis in this setting. However, calculation of the ALBI score is complex and difficult to access in clinical practice. Recently, the EZ (easy)‐ALBI score was proposed as an alternative biomarker of liver injury. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of the EZ‐ALBI score in HCC from early to advanced stages. Methods A total of 3794 newly diagnosed HCC patients were prospectively enrolled and retrospectively analyzed. Independent prognostic predictors were determined by using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Results The EZ‐ALBI score showed good correlation with the ALBI score (correlation coefficient, 0.965; p 65 years, male sex, serum α‐fetoprotein >20 ng/ml, large or multiple tumors, total tumor volume >100 cm3, vascular invasion or distant metastasis, ascites, poor performance status, EZ‐ALBI grade 2 and 3, and noncurative treatments were independently associated with increased mortality (all p