Value of alpha-fetoprotein combined with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase/aspartate aminotransferase ratio in diagnosis of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) combined with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ratio in the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsA total of 352 subjects who received treatment or underwent physical examination in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 15 to June 15, 2020, were enrolled, among whom there were 86 healthy controls (HC group), 68 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB group), 69 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC group), and 129 patients with HCC (HCC group), and a retrospective analysis was performed for the serological test results of all subjects. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between multiple groups, and the Nemenyi method was used for further comparison between two groups. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to calculate predictor variables; a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for AFP, GGT/AST, and the predictor variables used alone or in combination, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated; the Z test was used for comparison of AUC. ResultsThe HCC group had significantly higher GGT/AST ratio and AFP than the other groups (all P＜0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that AFP combined with GGT/AST ratio had a significantly higher AUC than AFP alone in the HCC group vs the LC group, the HCC group vs the HC+CHB+LC groups, and the HCC group vs the CHB+LC groups (Z=2.684, 2.241, and 2.415, P=0.007, 0.025, and 0016). ConclusionAFP combined with GGT/AST ratio can improve the clinical diagnostic performance of HBV-related HCC and thus has a certain diagnostic value.