In-hospital mortality among a cohort of cirrhotic patients admitted to a tertiary hospital

Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2011 Nov-Dec;17(6):387-90. doi: 10.4103/1319-3767.87179.

Abstract

Background/aim: To determine the mortality rate in a cohort of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and examine their resuscitation status at admission.

Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with cirrhosis who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2009.

Results: We reviewed 226 cirrhotic patients during the study period. The hospital mortality rate was 35%. A univariate analysis revealed that worse outcomes were seen in patients with advanced age or who had worse child-turcotte-pugh (CPT) scores, worse model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, low albumin and high serum creatinine. Using a multivariate analysis, we found that advanced age (P=0.004) and high MELD (P=0.001) scores were independent risk factors for the mortality of cirrhotic patients. The end-of-life decision were made in 34% of cirrhotic patients, and the majority of deceased patients were "no resuscitation" status (90% vs. 4%, P<0.001).

Conclusions: The relatively high mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted for care in a tertiary hospital, Saudi Arabia was comparable to that reported in the literature. Furthermore, end-of-life discussions should be addressed early in the hospitalization of cirrhotic patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Decision Making
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospital Mortality / trends*
  • Humans
  • Inpatients*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / mortality*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Resuscitation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology