Analysis of aggressiveness factors in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization

Table 3 Cox proportional hazard model for death on aggressiveness index score and liver function parameters

All models in total cohort	HR	se(HR)	P value	95%CI
Variables included together in the model
Aggressiveness Index
Score = 4 [Ref. category]	1	-	-	-
Score > 4	2.185	0.757	0.024	1.108 to 4.310
Total bilirubin (mg/dL)	0.985	0.154	0.925	0.725 to 1.339
ALKP (IU/mL)	0.999	0.003	0.793	0.993 to 1.005
GGTP (IU/mL)	1.003	0.001	0.016	1.001 to 1.006
AST (IU/L)	0.999	0.002	0.511	0.995 to 1.003
Albumin (g/dL)	0.793	0.250	0.462	0.427 to 1.472
Platelets (×109/L)	1.002	0.002	0.161	0.999 to 1.006
Final model from stepwise method in backward
Aggressiveness Index
Score = 4 [Ref. category]	1	-	-	-
Score > 4	2.263	0.748	0.013	1.184 to 4.327
GGTP (IU/mL)	1.003	0.001	0.001	1.001 to 1.004

Aggressiveness index (sum of scores): MTD (in tertiles): MTD < 4.5; 4.5 ≤ MTD ≤ 9.6; MTD > 9.6; scores 1, 2, 3 respectively; AFP (cut-off): AFP < 100; 100 ≤ AFP ≤ 1000; AFP > 1000; scores 1, 2, 3 respectively; PVT (no/yes): PVT (no); PVT (yes); scores 1, 3 respectively; nodules (number): Nodules ≤ 3; nodules > 3; scores 1, 3 respectively. AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein; MTD: Maximum tumor diameter; PVT: Portal vein thrombosis; ALKP: Alkaline phosphatase; GGTP: gamma glutamyl transpeptidae; AST: Aspartate aminotransaminase; Hb: Haemoglobin; Plt: Platelet count.