Assessment of the value of serum cholinesterase as a liver function test for cirrhotic patients

A variety of laboratory tests are used in the evaluation of hepatic patients. Serum cholinesterase is reduced in liver dysfunction in contrast to other enzymes. The aim of this study was to assess the value of serum cholinesterase in evaluating liver reserve function in cirrhotic patients. A total of 866 cirrhotic patients were divided into three groups according to their Child-Pugh score. Serum cholinesterase of the patients was detected using the enzyme rate method. Simultaneously, serum albumin was detected using the bromocresol green test, while serum plasma prothrombin time was detected using the clotting assay. Using analysis of variance, the value of serum cholinesterase was analyzed in evaluating the liver reserve function of cirrhotic patients in different Child grades. Using correlation analysis, the correction between cholinesterase and albumin and serum plasma prothrombin time was analyzed. Cirrhotic patients were grouped strictly into A, B and C grades, as per the Child-Pugh score. The results showed that cholinesterase tended to significantly decrease in the three grades Child A (5368.04±1657.32 U/l), Child B (2943.06±1212.84 U/l) and Child C (1832.51±710.68 U/l) (F=264.135, P=0.000). In patients with cirrhosis, cholinesterase was positively correlated with albumin and negatively correlated with serum plasma prothrombin time. In the Child A grade, serum cholinesterase was positively correlated with albumin, but negatively correlated with serum plasma prothrombin time. In the Child B grade, serum cholinesterase remained negatively correlated with serum plasma prothrombin time although there was no significant correlation between cholinesterase and albumin. In the Child C grade, serum cholinesterase positively correlated with albumin, but there was no significant correlation between cholinesterase and serum plasma prothrombin time. In conclusion, correlated with the damage severity of liver cells, cholinesterase may respond to liver reserve function.