High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels predict survival and are related to haemodynamics in alcoholic cirrhosis

OBJECTIVESInflammation may be implicated in the haemodynamic deterioration and in the development of complications in patients with cirrhosis. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a marker of low-grade inflammation, and predicts outcomes in patients at risk of ischaemic heart disease. Proinflammatory cytokines reflect immune activation and have been found to be elevated in cirrhosis. We investigated a possible association between markers of inflammation and splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics, complications and survival in patients with cirrhosis. METHODSIn 45 stable patients with cirrhosis on the basis of alcohol consumption, we measured hsCRP, as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients and in 12 healthy controls. Systemic and splanchnic haemodynamics were investigated in patients. RESULTShsCRP levels were significantly higher in patients compared with controls (P