Background: Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic disease that involves the whole organ. In liver
cirrhosis the gonadal axis is affected. Hyperprolactinemia is often present in these patients as well
as hyperestrogenemia, both are responsible for the clinical characteristics of feminization.
Patients and Methods: We investigated 50 patients with cirrhosis. The diagnosis of cirrhosis
was based on biochemical evidence and clinical diagnosis including ascites or encephalopathy.
Also prognostic indices (Child-Pugh) and prolactin levels are assessed.
Results: Mean age was 51.94±5.99. Mean Child-Pugh score was 9.16±3.16. Mean prolactin
levels were 18.76±9.14 ng/ml. Patients with hepatic encephalopathy compared with patients
without encephalopathy had significantly higher levels of prolactin. Prolactin levels were also
significantly related to ascites degree. In regression analysis prolactin level was significantly
dependent on Child-Pugh score.
Conclusions: Prolactin level increases significantly with severity of liver disease particularly in
patients with ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. High prolactin level could therefore be
considered as a negative prognostic marker of liver cirrhosis.