Analysis of factors predicting the response to tolvaptan in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic edema

Background and Aim This study aimed to clarify the factors predictive of treatment response to tolvaptan (V2‐receptor antagonist) for cirrhotic patients with hepatic edema in a real‐world setting. Methods In this retrospective, multicenter study, tolvaptan was orally administered at a dose of 7.5 mg once a day. Patients with a decrease in body weight of 1.5 kg or greater from baseline were characterized as responders at day 7. Results Of 229 patients, 210 were subjected to this analysis. Patients consisted of 133 men and 77 women, with the median age of 67 years (range, 40–89 years). According to the Child–Pugh classification, five patients were classified as class A, 90 as class B, and 115 as class C. The frequencies of responders and nonresponders were 55.2% and 44.8%, respectively. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was significantly lower in responders compared with nonresponders (P = 3.77 × 10−3). Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cutoff value of 28.2 mg/dL was the most useful in discriminating responders from nonresponders. Among 154 patients with BUN level of less than 28.2 mg/dL, 95 (61.7%) were responders. By contrast, among 56 patients with BUN level of 28.2 mg/dL or more, 21 (37.5%) were nonresponders (P = 2.70 × 10−3). On multivariate analysis, BUN level of 51 mEq/day were found to be independent factors associated with the response to tolvaptan. Conclusions This study suggests that BUN level and urinary sodium excretion are closely associated with the response to tolvaptan in cirrhotic patients with hepatic edema.