Diagnosing lymphohistiocytic hemophagocytosis in intensive care patients with liver disease

Diagnosis of Lymphohistiocytic Hemophagocytosis in Intensive Care: Relevance of the Hscore and Search for the Best Diagnostic Markers

Observational University Hospital, Strasbourg, France · NCT07343037

This study will test whether the HScore can accurately detect lymphohistiocytic hemophagocytosis in adults with hepatocellular insufficiency or cirrhosis admitted to intensive care.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Strasbourg, France Academic / other
Locations1 site (Strasbourg)
Trial IDNCT07343037 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a retrospective observational review of adult ICU patients at Hautepierre Hospital (CHU de Strasbourg) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2024. Researchers will extract clinical and laboratory data to calculate HScore components (including ferritin, triglycerides, and cytopenias) and compare HScore results with clinical diagnoses and outcomes. The cohort focuses on patients with hepatocellular insufficiency and/or cirrhosis who meet at least three biological signs suggestive of HLH. No investigational treatments are administered as this analysis uses existing medical records.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) admitted to the intensive care unit at Hautepierre Hospital, CHU de Strasbourg, between 2014 and 2024 with hepatocellular insufficiency or cirrhosis and at least three biological signs of HLH (high ferritin, elevated triglycerides, and at least one cytopenia).

Not a fit: Pediatric patients, people without liver disease, those lacking the required laboratory data, or anyone treated outside the specified hospital and date range are unlikely to benefit from the study findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, validating the HScore in this group could lead to earlier recognition of hemophagocytic syndromes in critically ill liver patients and more timely treatment decisions.

How similar studies have performed: The HScore has been used and partly validated in other clinical populations, but its performance specifically in intensive care patients with hepatic insufficiency or cirrhosis is less well studied, making this application relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patient (≥18 years old)
* Patient admitted to the intensive care unit at Hautepierre Hospital, Strasbourg University Hospital, between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2024
* At least 3 biological signs of HLH:

  * ferritin \> 2000 ng/mL
  * triglycerides \> 1.5 g/L
  * at least one cytopenia (leukocytes ≤ 5000 G/L, platelets ≤ 110 G/L, hemoglobin ≤ 9.2 g/dL).

Exclusion Criteria:

Refusal to participate in the study

Where this trial is running

Strasbourg

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Hepatic InsufficiencyCirrhosis, LiverLymphohistiocytic hemophagocytosisHepatocellular insufficiencyInvasive aspergillosisAzole antifungalsLiver dysfunction.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.