Serum prolactin level as a biological marker of severity in liver cirrhosis

Background: Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic disease that involves the whole organ. In liver cirrhosis the gonadal axis is affected. Hyperprolactinemia is often present in these patients as well as hyperestrogenemia, both are responsible for the clinical characteristics of feminization. Patients and Methods: We investigated 50 patients with cirrhosis. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on biochemical evidence and clinical diagnosis including ascites or encephalopathy. Also prognostic indices (Child-Pugh) and prolactin levels are assessed. Results: Mean age was 51.94±5.99. Mean Child-Pugh score was 9.16±3.16. Mean prolactin levels were 18.76±9.14 ng/ml. Patients with hepatic encephalopathy compared with patients without encephalopathy had significantly higher levels of prolactin. Prolactin levels were also significantly related to ascites degree. In regression analysis prolactin level was significantly dependent on Child-Pugh score. Conclusions: Prolactin level increases significantly with severity of liver disease particularly in patients with ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. High prolactin level could therefore be considered as a negative prognostic marker of liver cirrhosis.