STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM URIC ACID AND CHILD–TURCOTTE–PUGH SCORES IN CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Serum uric acid has recently been recognized as a marker of inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum uric acid levels and Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) scores in patients with chronic liver disease. Methodology: This hospital-based observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences from November 2024 to January 2026. Fifty patients aged above 20 years diagnosed with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis were included. Patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hepatorenal syndrome, chemotherapy exposure, and those on uric acid-altering drugs were excluded. Serum uric acid, bilirubin, albumin, liver enzymes, and INR were measured using standard laboratory methods. CTP scores were calculated, and statistical analysis was performed to determine correlations. Results: Patients with serum uric acid levels >7.2 mg/dL had significantly higher bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, and INR levels with lower albumin levels (p<0.05). Mean uric acid levels increased progressively from CTP Class A (4.39 ± 1.09 mg/dL) to Class C (8.19 ± 2.24 mg/dL), showing a significant association between hyperuricemia and disease severity (p=0.012). Conclusion: Elevated serum uric acid levels are significantly associated with worsening liver dysfunction and higher CTP scores in chronic liver disease. Serum uric acid may serve as a simple and cost-effective biomarker for assessing disease severity.