Serum albumin level is a notable profiling factor for non-B, non-C hepatitis virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: A data-mining analysis

• Published in: Hepatology research Vol. 44; no. 8; pp. 837 - 845
• Main Authors: Yamada, Shingo, Kawaguchi, Atsushi, Kawaguchi, Takumi, Fukushima, Nobuyoshi, Kuromatsu, Ryoko, Sumie, Shuji, Takata, Akio, Nakano, Masahito, Satani, Manabu, Tonan, Tatsuyuki, Fujimoto, Kiminori, Shima, Hiroji, Kakuma, Tatsuyuki, Torimura, Takuji, Charlton, Michael R., Sata, Michio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2014
• Subjects: lifestyle; metabolism; non-viral-related hepatoma; smoking; metabolism; non-viral-related hepatoma; smoking; lifestyle
• ISSN: 1386-6346; 1872-034X
• DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12192

Aim Various factors are underlying for the onset of non‐B, non‐C hepatitis virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (NBNC‐HCC). We aimed to investigate the independent risk factors and profiles associated with NBNC‐HCC using a data‐mining technique. Methods We conducted a case‐control study and enrolled 223 NBNC‐HCC patients and 669 controls from a health checkup database (n = 176 886). Multivariate analysis, random forest analysis and a decision‐tree algorithm were employed to examine the independent risk factors, factors distinguishing between the case and control groups, and to identify profiles for the incidence of NBNC‐HCC, respectively. Results In multivariate analysis, besides γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels and the Brinkman index, albumin level was an independent negative risk factor for the incidence of NBNC‐HCC (odds ratio = 0.67; 95% confidence interval = 0.60–0.70; P < 0.0001). In random forest analysis, serum albumin level was the highest‐ranked variable for distinguishing between the case and control groups (98 variable importance). A decision‐tree algorithm was created for albumin and GGT levels, the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) and the Brinkman index. The serum albumin level was selected as the initial split variable, and 82.5% of the subjects with albumin levels of less than 4.01 g/dL were found to have NBNC‐HCC. Conclusion Data‐mining analysis revealed that serum albumin level is an independent risk factor and the most distinguishable factor associated with the incidence of NBNC‐HCC. Furthermore, we created an NBNC‐HCC profile consisting of albumin and GGT levels, the APRI and the Brinkman index. This profile could be used in the screening strategy for NBNC‐HCC.