Journal of Disease and Global Health

Liver cirrhosis is a progressive stage of chronic liver disease characterised by structural distortion, impaired hepatocellular function, portal hypertension, and risk of systemic decompensation. Biochemical markers remain central to its evaluation because they provide clinically accessible information on hepatocellular injury, cholestasis, synthetic dysfunction, renal impairment, electrolyte disturbance, and disease severity. This mini review summarises conventional and emerging biochemical markers of liver cirrhosis and discusses their pathophysiological basis, clinical application, and prognostic significance. Routine markers, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalised ratio, platelet count, creatinine, sodium, and ammonia, are considered in relation to their diagnostic and prognostic roles. Composite indices such as Child-Pugh, MELD, MELD-Na, APRI, FIB-4, and ALBI are also discussed because they integrate laboratory and clinical variables for staging and risk stratification. The review emphasises that isolated laboratory abnormalities may be misleading, particularly in compensated cirrhosis, and that markers of injury should be distinguished from markers of true hepatic functional reserve. Emerging blood-based biomarkers may improve assessment of fibrosis, renal dysfunction, inflammation, and short-term deterioration, but broader validation is required before routine use. Overall, biochemical interpretation should be integrated with clinical findings and non-invasive assessment tools to support prognosis and management.