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Comparative Study
. 2009 Jul-Sep;15(3):171-5.
doi: 10.4103/1319-3767.54746.

Retrospective study of the clinical profile and prognostic indicators in patients of alcoholic liver disease admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital in Western Nepal

Om K Pathak  1 , Raju Paudel, Om B Panta, Hom P Pant, Bishnu R Giri, Baikuntha Adhikari
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Retrospective study of the clinical profile and prognostic indicators in patients of alcoholic liver disease admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital in Western Nepal

Om K Pathak et al. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Background/aim: Alcohol is the most common substance abused in Nepal. Liver disease caused by alcohol abuse, including its end stage, cirrhosis, is a major health care problem, which is difficult to treat.

Objectives: To study the demographic profile, laboratory parameters, complications and their prognostic implications among patients of alcoholic liver disease (ALD).

Materials and methods: Records of all patients of ALD admitted from January1 , 2005 to December 31 , 2006 were studied and followed up to December 31, 2007. A total of 181 patients were analyzed. Their clinical profile and laboratory parameters were noted and analyzed using SPSS-10.0 software.

Results: Among the 181 patients, 80.7% were male, 30.9% were army/ex-army and 65.2% were documented smokers. The mean age of presentation was 52.08 years. Jaundice (57.5%) was the most common presentation followed by hepatomegaly (51.4%). Hypoalbuminemia (50.3) followed by ascites (48.1) were common complications. Death occurred in 19.1% of the patients, the most common cause being hepatic encephalopathy (72.2%) followed by variceal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome. Jaundice, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy at presentation and female sex were significantly associated with increased mortality along with discriminant score > 32, aspartate aminotransferase (AST): Alanine aminotranferase (ALT) > or = 2, ultrasonography (USG)-proven cirrhosis, rise in prothrombin time > or =5 s, total bilirubin > or = 4 mg/dL and ESR > or =34.

Conclusion: ALD was predominantly seen among the productive age group with a high morbidity and mortality. Jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy at presentation and female sex are poor prognostic indicators along with discriminant score > 32, AST:ALT > or = 2, USG-proven cirrhosis, coagulopathy, hyperbilirubenemia and high ESR.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Complications of alcoholic liver disease
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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