An Increased Ratio of Glycated Albumin to HbA1c Is Associated with the Degree of Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis B Virus-Positive Patients

Abstract EN

Background.

In hepatitis B virus- (HBV-) positive patients, the relationship between the metabolic variables and histological degree of liver fibrosis has been poorly investigated.

Methods.

A total of 176 HBV-positive patients were assessed in whom the ratios of glycated albumin-to-glycated hemoglobin (GA/HbA1c) were calculated in order to investigate the relationship with the degree of liver fibrosis.

Results.

The GA/HbA1c ratio increased in association with the severity of fibrosis (METAVIR scores: F0-1: 2.61 ± 0.24, F2: 2.65 ± 0.24, F3: 2.74 ± 0.38, and F4: 2.91 ± 0.63).

The GA/HbA1c ratios were inversely correlated with four variables of liver function: the prothrombin time (PT) percentage (P<0.0001), platelet count (P<0.0001), albumin value (P<0.0001), and cholinesterase value (P<0.0001).

The GA/HbA1c ratio was positively correlated with two well-known markers of liver fibrosis, FIB-4 (P<0.0001) and the AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) (P<0.0001).

Furthermore, the GA/HbA1c showed better correlations with two variables of liver function (PT percentage and cholinesterase value) than did FIB-4 and with all four variables than did the APRI.

Conclusion.

The GA/HbA1c ratio is associated with the degree of liver fibrosis in HBV-positive patients.