Impact of non‐selective beta blockers on further decompensation and death in decompensated cirrhosis: Benefit and risk stratification by MELD score

Summary Background Non‐selective beta blockers (NSBBs) can reduce the risk of decompensation, but their impact on further decompensation has been rarely investigated. Aims The aim is to evaluate the impact of NSBBs on further decompensation and death in decompensated cirrhosis stratified by the severity of liver disease. Methods Overall, 332 decompensated cirrhotic patients were retrospectively included, of whom 149 used NSBBs. Kaplan–Meier and Nelson–Aalen cumulative risk curves as well as Cox regression and competing risk analyses were used to estimate the associations of NSBBs with further decompensation and death, if appropriate. Hazard ratio (HR) and sub‐distribution HR (sHR) were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score at admission. Results In the overall analysis, the use of NSBBs was not significantly associated with further decompensation in multivariate competing risk analysis (sHR = 1.09, p = 0.580). In the subgroup analysis of patients with a MELD score of ≤9, the use of NSBBs was significantly associated with decreased risk of further decompensation in multivariate competing risk analysis (sHR = 0.57, p = 0.021). In the subgroup analysis of patients with a MELD score of >9, the use of NSBBs was associated with increased risk of further decompensation in multivariate competing risk analysis (sHR = 1.45, p = 0.044). Regardless of overall and subgroup analyses, the use of NSBBs was not significantly associated with death in multivariate Cox regression analyses. Conclusion NSBBs may be beneficial for the prevention of further decompensation in cirrhotic patients with a MELD score of ≤9, but deleterious in those with a MELD score of >9.