Serum bilirubin as a risk factor of chronic kidney disease in liver cirrhosis, not liver transplant patients
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background In liver cirrhosis patients with high serum bilirubin, serves as a marker of poor liver function and prognosis. However, bilirubin exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, resulting in protective role in renal function. The current study therefore, studied the relationship between high bilirubin levels and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in liver cirrhosis patients and compares it to liver transplant recipients to better understand bilirubin's role in these diseases. Methods Patients who with liver cirrhosis or liver transplant patients from 2018 to 2024 were recruited from single hospital. A total of 4064 patients with full data were studied. Patients were divided by serum bilirubin levels, and its association with CKD were studied in both liver cirrhosis and liver transplant patients. Results From each 3827 liver cirrhosis and 237 liver transplant patients, 940 (24.6 %) and 71 (30.0 %) patients were also diagnosed of CKD (total n = 1011). When divided by serum bilirubin levels, high serum bilirubin was associated with odds ratio (OR) of 1.97 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.67–2.31) in liver cirrhosis patients after adjustment. However, no association was observed in liver transplant patients with OR of 0.85 (95 % CI 0.41–1.77). Conclusions The current study has shown significant association between high bilirubin levels and increased CKD in liver cirrhosis patients but not in liver transplant patients.
Source: Transplantation Reports
Author: K.H. Mun
Institution: Eulji University
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,720
OpenAlex ID: W4417334652