Physical Function as Assessed by the Liver Frailty Index Remains Stable Over Time in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Locoregional Therapies

Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2025 May 6;16(6):e00854. doi: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000854. eCollection 2025 Jun 1.

Abstract

Introduction: It is unknown how frailty evolves over time in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are treated with locoregional therapies (LRTs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of LRT-treated hepatocellular carcinoma patients with Liver Frailty Index (LFI) assessments. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to assess the impact of time (modeled linearly per month) and other variables on LFI.

Results: Of 201 patients enrolled, median baseline LFI was 3.54. LFI did not change significantly over time from study entry ( P = 0.93).

Discussion: In our study, LFI remained stable over time after LRT, suggesting that LRT is generally well tolerated.

Keywords: frailty; functional status; hepatocellular carcinoma; liver frailty index; locoregional therapies.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / complications
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / therapy
  • Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Frailty* / diagnosis
  • Frailty* / etiology
  • Frailty* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / physiopathology
  • Liver / radiation effects
  • Liver Neoplasms* / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome