e16304 Background: Hepatic reserve is a critical determinant of outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet traditional scoring systems such as MELD are frequently unavailable or underpowered in real-world datasets. The albumin–bilirubin index (ALBI) is a validated, objective measure of liver function derived from routine laboratory values and has emerged as a pragmatic alternative for risk stratification. However, the impact of ALBI on longitudinal outcomes following locoregional therapy (LRT) for HCC in routine clinical practice remains incompletely characterized. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using TriNetX to identify adults with HCC treated with locoregional therapies (transarterial chemoembolization, yttrium-90 radioembolization, stereotactic body radiation therapy, or thermal ablation). Hepatic reserve was assessed using an albumin–bilirubin–based definition with labs within 30 days pre-therapy. Low ALBI (preserved function) was defined as albumin ≥3.5 g/dL and bilirubin ≤2.0 mg/dL, and high ALBI (impaired function) as albumin 2.0 mg/dL. Propensity score matching (1:1) balanced demographics and comorbidities. Outcomes at 6 months, 1, 3, and 5 years included mortality, hepatic failure, ascites, portal hypertension, and esophageal varices. RD, RR, OR, and HR with 95% CIs were reported. Results: After matching, 509 patients were included in each ALBI group. High ALBI was consistently associated with significantly worse outcomes across all time points. Overall mortality was higher in the high-ALBI group at 6 months (19.6% vs 8.7%), 1 year (31.0% vs 13.9%), 3 years (51.0% vs 28.3%), and 5 years (57.1% vs 35.6%). Corresponding hazard ratios for mortality ranged from 2.32 to 2.65 across time points (all p < 0.05). High ALBI was also associated with substantially increased risks of hepatic failure (5-year RD 23.9%, HR 3.29), ascites (5-year RD 18.5%, HR 2.50), and esophageal varices (5-year RD 8.5%, HR 2.60). These associations persisted from early through long-term follow-up, demonstrating durable prognostic separation by ALBI status. Conclusions: In this large, real-world cohort of HCC patients undergoing locoregional therapy, impaired hepatic reserve as defined by a high albumin–bilirubin index was strongly and consistently associated with worse short- and long-term survival and higher rates of hepatic decompensation. An albumin–bilirubin–based ALBI classification represents a pragmatic and clinically meaningful tool for risk stratification when MELD is unavailable and may inform treatment selection, prognostication, and post-therapy surveillance in routine clinical practice.
Tajiknia et al. (Thu,) studied this question.