07). The actuarial probability of developing clinical decompensation was significantly different among the three BMI groups (log-rank 7.60, P = 0.022), being highest in obese patients, intermediate in overweight patients, and lowest in those with a normal BMI (Fig. 1B). The cumulative probability of clinical decompensation at 2 and 5 years for each BMI group was: normal weight 0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0%-0%) and 13% (95% CI 3%-23%), respectively; overweight patients 14% (95% CI 6%-22%) and 28% (95% CI 17%-39%), respectively; obese patients 21% (95% CI 10%-32%) and 37% (95% CI 23%-50%), respectively. In a sensitivity

analysis, the increased risk of decompensation of obese patients was documented both in American patients (5-year probability: 35%; 95% CI 18%-53%) and in European patients (5-year probability: 39%; check details 95% CI 18%-61%). To evaluate whether BMI is an independent predictor of decompensation, we performed a Cox regression analysis including previously defined predictors of decompensation (HVPG, albumin, and MELD)2 and variables that could potentially act as confounders on the association (etiology and treatment). Therefore, variables introduced into the analysis were: etiology (alcoholic versus nonalcoholic); MELD score, albumin, HVPG; BMI; and treatment group (timolol or placebo). Table

2 shows the results of the uni- and multivariate Cox analysis. As shown, HVPG (per 1 mmHg increase hazard ratio, HR: 1.14 [95% CI 1.07-1.20], P < 0.0001), albumin (per 1 g/dL decrease selleck compound HR 4.54 [2.44-8.33], P < 0.0001), and BMI (per 1 unit increase HR 1.06 [1.01-1.12], P = 0.02) remained independently associated with clinical decompensation in the final model, whereas MELD

score was excluded. Therapeutic group (timolol or placebo) was unrelated to outcome (Table 2). The results were similar when the analysis was restricted to the subgroup of patients with HCV-related cirrhosis (n = 103), with HVPG, albumin, and BMI being the only variables independently associated with clinical decompensation: HVPG (per 1 mmHg increase HR: 1.19 [95% CI 1.09-1.30], P < 0.0001), albumin (per 1 g/dL decrease HR 2.78 [1.06-7.14], P = 0.04) and BMI (per 1 unit increase HR 1.09 [1.01-1.19], P = 0.03). One hundred eighteen patients (30 normal BMI, 47 overweight, and 41 obese) underwent a second HVPG measurement click here after 1 year of follow-up. The 1-year change in HVPG was linearly correlated with baseline BMI (r = 0.348, P < 0.01) and 12-month BMI (r = 0.306, P < 0.01). Although patients with a normal BMI had a significant reduction in HVPG (mean reduction of 14.3 ± 26.8%; 95% CI 4.3%-23.7%; median reduction 15.2%, P = 0.007 versus baseline), as did overweight patients (mean reduction 7.9 ± 16.4%; 95% CI 2.3%-14.7%; median reduction 11.5%; P = 0.14 versus normal BMI, P = 0.002 versus baseline), obese patients had a slight, nonsignificant increase in HVPG (mean increase of 5.4 ± 32.4%; 95% CI −5.1% to 15.1%); median 0%; P = .004 versus normal BMI; P = 0.