Table 3.

Main characteristics of the studies examining the relationship between adiponectin, leptin levels and the prognosis of HCC

Author, Year, Country	Study design	Study period	Number	Follow-up (months)	Sample	Measured indicators	Detected method	Cut-off value	Survival analysis	Source of HR	Analytic method	NOS score
Siegel, 2014, USA	P	2008–2012	140	8	Serum	AdipoQ; Leptin	RIA	≥13.05 μg/ml vs<13.05 μg/ml; ≥7.9 ng/ml vs<7.9 ng/ml	OS	Report	M;U	7
Shen, 2016, USA	P	2008–2014	135	84	Plasma	AdipoQ	ELISA	≥13.10 μg/ml vs<13.10 μg/ml	OS	Report	M	7
Shin, 2014, Korea	P	1996–2001	75	82.5	Cytoplasmic	AdipoQ	IHC	Positive: > 0% of cells stained vs Negative: no cells stained	OS	Report	M	6
Watanabe, 2011, Japan	P	2006–2008	33	39	Plasma	Leptin	NA	≥5.0 ng/ml vs<5.0 ng/ml	DFS	Report	M	7
Wang, 2014, Taiwan	P	1999–2003	85	NA	Cytoplasmic	AdipoQ	IHC	Low: - ~ + vs High: ++ ~ +++a	OS	SC	M	7
Wang, 2006, Taiwan	P	1994–2003	68	31.7	Cytoplasmic	Leptin	IHC	Low: - ~ + vs High: ++ ~ +++a	OS	SC	M	6

ELISA Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RIA Radioimmunoassay, IHC Immunohistochemistry, NA Not available, DFS Disease-free survival, OS Overall survival, SC Survival curves, U Univariate, M Multivariate. ^aSemiquantitative scoring system, NOS Newcastle-Ottawa Scale