A Latin American survey on demographic aspects of hospitalized, decompensated cirrhotic patients and the resources for their management

Ann Hepatol. 2020 Jul-Aug;19(4):396-403. doi: 10.1016/j.aohep.2020.03.007. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Abstract

Introduction & objectives: Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of decompensating events requires of both medical skills and updated technical resources. The objectives of this study were to search the demographic profile of hospitalized cirrhotic patients in a group of Latin American hospitals and the availability of expertise/facilities for the diagnosis and therapy of decompensation episodes.

Methods: A cross sectional, multicenter survey of hospitalized cirrhotic patients.

Results: 377 patients, (62% males; 58±11 years) (BMI>25, 57%; diabetes 32%) were hospitalized at 65 centers (63 urbans; 57 academically affiliated) in 13 countries on the survey date. Main admission causes were ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis/other infections. Most prevalent etiologies were alcohol-related (AR) (40%); non-alcoholic-steatohepatitis (NASH) (23%), hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) (7%) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (6%). The most frequent concurrent etiologies were AR+NASH. Expertise and resources in every analyzed issue were highly available among participating centers, mostly accomplishing valid guidelines. However, availability of these facilities was significantly higher at institutions located in areas with population>500,000 (n=45) and in those having a higher complexity level (Gastrointestinal, Liver and Internal Medicine Departments at the same hospital (n=22).

Conclusions: The epidemiological etiologic profile in hospitalized, decompensated cirrhotic patients in Latin America is similar to main contemporary emergent agents worldwide. Medical and technical resources are highly available, mostly at great population urban areas and high complexity medical centers. Main diagnostic and therapeutic approaches accomplish current guidelines recommendations.

Keywords: Ascites; Cirrhosis; Decompensation; Survey.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ascites / epidemiology*
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / epidemiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Health Resources
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / epidemiology*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / etiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / complications
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / epidemiology
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Latin America / epidemiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / epidemiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / complications
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / epidemiology
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Peritonitis / epidemiology*
  • Peritonitis / etiology
  • Sex Distribution
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult