Risk factors for the mortality of hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) has been confirmed as a prevalent form of end-stage liver disease in people subjected to chronic HBV infection. However, there has been rare in-depth research on the risk factors for the mortality of HBV-ACLF. This study aimed at determining the risk factors for the mortality of HBV-ACLF. METHODS: The relevant research was selected from four electronic databases that have been published as of August 2023. The existing research was reviewed in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The level of quality of previous research was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Moreover, a pooled estimate of the odds ratios (ORs) with their associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was provided through a meta-analysis. The data were combined, and the risk variables that at least two studies had considered were analyzed. The publication bias was examined through Egger's test and Begg's test. RESULTS: Twenty two studies that conformed to the inclusion criteria were selected from 560 trials. Eight risk variables in terms of HBV-ACLF mortality were determined, which covered INR (OR = 1.923, 95% CI = 1.664–2.221, P < 0.001), Monocytes (OR = 1.201, 95% CI = 1.113–1.296, P < 0.001), Cirrhosis (OR = 1.432, 95% CI = 1.210–1.696, P < 0.001), HE (OR = 2.553, 95% CI = 1.968–3.312, P < 0.001), HE grade (OR = 2.059, 95% CI = 1.561–2.717, P < 0.001), SBP (OR = 1.383, 95% CI = 1.080–1.769, P = 0.010), Hyponatremia (OR = 1.941, 95% CI = 1.614–2.334, P < 0.001), as well as HRS (OR = 2.610, 95% CI = 1.669–4.080, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The most significant risk factors for HBV-ACLF mortality comprise HRS, HE, and HE grade, followed by INR and hyponatremia. The Monocytes, cirrhosis, and SBP have been confirmed as the additional key risk factors for HBV-ACLF mortality. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-023-02980-4.