Racial disparities in alpha-fetoprotein testing and alpha-fetoprotein status associated with the diagnosis and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing for the surveillance, diagnosis, and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. Here, we compared AFP testing rates, elevated AFP rates, factors associated with elevated AFP levels, and prognostic factors associated with overall survival (OS) in HCC patients from different ethnic groups.

Methods

Patients with HCC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. Race was categorized as white, black, and others. AFP testing rates and elevated AFP rates were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent factors associated with elevated AFP levels and prognosis, respectively. All statistical tests were two sided

SUBMITTER: Wu G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6825973 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature