Serum levels of GDF15 have high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between compensated and decompensated LC when compared to MELD score, and serum levels of GDF15 have high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between cirrhotic PBC patients and non-cirrhotic PBC patients when compared to Mayo risk scores. The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.