[Functional classification of chronic alcoholic hepatopathy in primary care]

To evaluate the use of Pugh's Classification in assessing patients with diffuse alcoholic Chronic Hepatopathy in the out-patient context.

Descriptive-retrospective study. SITE. The Base Health Area of "La Mina" in Barcelona.

143 patients over the age of 14 diagnosed as suffering diffuse chronic Hepatopathy were identified. 37 of these were excluded because of lack of data.

The following data were gathered: those relating to semeiology, anamnesis, quantifying alcoholic intake, where the original diagnosis was made, how rapidly the condition evolved, laboratory and complementary explorations' parameters. Out of the 106 patients studied 71 (67%) were classified in group A; 22 (21%) in B and 13 (12%) in C. No significant differences were found in relation to age or sex. Significant differences concerning the speed of the condition's evolution and the average intake in grammes of alcohol per day were observable. The number of hospital admissions increased as the patient's functional stage became worse and complications increased.

Pugh's test was shown to be useful in the out-patient context for classifying patients suffering chronic diffuse Hepatopathy in line with the severity of their condition.