BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis-related complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in areas where its risk factors are endemic. OBJECTIVE: We determined the prevalence of decompensated cirrhosis among patients on the gastroenterology service of Mulago Hospital and described the clinical and laboratory features of these patients. METHODS: All patients admitted to the unit were assessed and their diagnosis documented. Patients with cirrhosis had clinical features of decompensation recorded. History of alcohol consumption was taken and testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) performed. RESULTS: Between September 2010 and January 2011, we enrolled 482 patients. The majority (53.7%) were male, overall median age 38 years. Decompensated cirrhosis was diagnosed in 85 (17.6%) patients. Of the 85 patients, 47 (55.3%) gave a history of alcohol intake, HBsAg was positive in 23 (27.1%) and anti-HCV in 3 (3.5%). Decompensation was defined by ascites among 81 (95.3%) patients, variceal bleeding in 31 (36.5%), encephalopathy in 20 (23.5%). CONCLUSION: Cirrhosis is common in Mulago hospital presenting mainly with ascites and variceal bleeding. Aside from controlling causes of liver diseases, especially alcohol and hepatitis B virus infection, in the interim it is necessary to manage complications in patients who already have cirrhosis.
BACKGROUND:Cirrhosis-related complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in areas where its risk factors are endemic. OBJECTIVE: We determined the prevalence of decompensated cirrhosis among patients on the gastroenterology service of Mulago Hospital and described the clinical and laboratory features of these patients. METHODS: All patients admitted to the unit were assessed and their diagnosis documented. Patients with cirrhosis had clinical features of decompensation recorded. History of alcohol consumption was taken and testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) performed. RESULTS: Between September 2010 and January 2011, we enrolled 482 patients. The majority (53.7%) were male, overall median age 38 years. Decompensated cirrhosis was diagnosed in 85 (17.6%) patients. Of the 85 patients, 47 (55.3%) gave a history of alcohol intake, HBsAg was positive in 23 (27.1%) and anti-HCV in 3 (3.5%). Decompensation was defined by ascites among 81 (95.3%) patients, variceal bleeding in 31 (36.5%), encephalopathy in 20 (23.5%). CONCLUSION:Cirrhosis is common in Mulago hospital presenting mainly with ascites and variceal bleeding. Aside from controlling causes of liver diseases, especially alcohol and hepatitis B virus infection, in the interim it is necessary to manage complications in patients who already have cirrhosis.
Authors: Christian S van der Hilst; Alexander J C Ijtsma; Maarten J H Slooff; Elisabeth M Tenvergert Journal: Med Care Res Rev Date: 2008-11-03 Impact factor: 3.929
Authors: Kevin P Moore; Florence Wong; Pere Gines; Mauro Bernardi; Andreas Ochs; Francesco Salerno; Paolo Angeli; Michael Porayko; Richard Moreau; Guadelupe Garcia-Tsao; Wladimiro Jimenez; Ramon Planas; Vicente Arroyo Journal: Hepatology Date: 2003-07 Impact factor: 17.425
Authors: Einar Björnsson; Hans Verbaan; Antti Oksanen; Aril Frydén; Jonas Johansson; Sarah Friberg; Olav Dalgård; Evangelos Kalaitzakis Journal: Scand J Gastroenterol Date: 2009 Impact factor: 2.423