Forekomsten av komplikasjoner ved langtidsoppfølging av levercirrhose. Retrospektiv analyse av pasientmaterialet i tiden 2007 - 2010 ved Gastromedisinsk avdeling OUS.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Liver cirrhosis is a serious condition resulting in a significant mortality. The aim of this study is to identify the most common complications of cirrhosis in our study population. Patients and methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of patient data collected at Department of Gastroenterology at Oslo University Hospital. Essay is based on data from SCAN-study, where patients diagnosed with cirrhosis were included between 2007 – 2010. Then the patients were followed up for five years. A total of 109 patients who suffered from cirrhosis were included in this study. Clinical and biochemical data were collected from the patients medical journal. Results: A total of 109 patients were included, 35% women and 65% men. The most common cause of cirrhosis in this group is alcoholic liver disease (47%). Severity of cirrhosis at the time of inclusion ranged from compensated to highly decompensated cases with 70%, 21% and 5 % respectively in Child-Pugh class A, B and C. Many of the patients (64%) had already developed complications at the time of inclusion. The most common complications at this time were splenomegaly, oesophageal varices, hypersplenism, ascites and gastrointestinal bleeding. Bacterial infections are a very common and serious complication among patients with cirrhosis, occuring in 46% of patients. The most frequent causes of death in this group were liver failure (18%), sepsis (11%) and HCC (9%), and 5-year mortality was 40%. A striking number of those who died during the 1st year had high Child score at inclusion. Cirrhosis and its complications, which gradually affects the majority of patients, give rise to a great number of hospitalizations. A total of 266 admissions were registered in our group. Conclusion: Cirrhosis is a serious condition with poor prognosis. Throughout the course of the disease, more and more patients develop complications, directly or indirectly related to cirrhosis. This contributes to the high mortality rates seen in patients with cirrhosis. Prevention, early treatment and proper follow-up are crucial elements in reducing the number of new complications as well as recurrence of previously experienced complications.