Measurement Of Liver Function For Patients With Cirrhosis By Means Of 13C-methacetin Breath Test Compared With Child-Pugh Score And Routine Liver Tests

Background To evaluate the clinical value of 13C-methacetin breath test(¹³C-MBT) in quantitating liver function and to further compare these results with those of conventional liver function tests and Child-Pugh score.Methods Ninety-eight cirrhosis patients and Forty-four matched healthy controls were studied. ¹³C-MBT was performed after oral administration of 75mg of ¹³C-MBT diluted in 100ml water. After substrate administration, air sample collections were performed at 10,20,30,40,60,80,100 and 120min.Breath analysis was performed using gas isotope ratio mass spectrometry. During the tests, DOB, MV and CUM curve and MV_max30, CUM30 and CUM 120 were achieved. These results were compared with those of conventional liver function tests and Child-Pugh score.Results MV_max30, CUM30 and CUM 120 were significantly different among controls and cirrhosis Child A, B and C(P<0.05),except CUM 120 between groups Child A and B. MV_max30, CUM30 and CUM120 were significantly correlated with liver function tests and Child-Pugh score.Conclusions Methacetin breath test could be a safe and accurate method for liver function evaluation.