Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein: A novel non-invasive marker for assessing cirrhosis and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 1 Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein antigen values in the non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients in total and according to the etiology of liver disease. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) antigen titers were significantly higher compared to non-cirrhotic patients irrespectively of the etiology of liver disease. Bars indicate median values with interquartile range. CHB: Chronic hepatitis B; CHC: Chronic hepatitis C; AIH: Autoimmune hepatitis; PBC: Primary biliary cirrhosis; ALD: Alcoholic liver disease.

Figure 2 The follow-up schedule diagram of the 187 patients enrolled in the study. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Figure 3 Kaplan-Meier analysis of patients according to cartilage oligomeric matrix protein antigen values (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein-positive vs cartilage oligomeric matrix protein-negative). Only, three patients, that were cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP)-negative, developed cirrhosis during follow-up (A). A trend for more rapid development of decompensation in COMP-positive patients was noticed (B). The rates of HCC development (C) and liver-related mortality (D) are significantly higher in COMP-positive group compared to COMP-negative group by log-rank test. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.