Improvement of prognostic power of the Child–Pugh classification of liver cirrhosis by hyaluronan

Background/Aims : Modifications of the Child–Pugh classification of liver cirrhosis by incorporation of hyaluronan were tested to improve the prognostic power for long term evaluation of liver cirrhosis in 126 patients observed over a period of 10 years. Methods : Serum concentrations of HA were determined at study entry. Statistical analysis included Kaplan–Meier life tables and stepwise multivariant Cox-regression analysis for each parameter of Child–Pugh classification and hyaluronan. Prognostic models were developed by exchanging prothrombin time, albumin and encephalopathy by HA in different combinations. Results : Based on a good single correlation between hyaluronan (0.62) and clinical course ( P