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Liver cirrhosis: Child-Pugh grading of cases seen in Nigeria

D A Ndububa1, O S Ojo, A O Aladegbaiye

  • 1Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), lle-Ife, Nigeria. dennisandububa@yahoo.co.uk

Tropical Doctor
|August 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Most Nigerian cirrhosis patients present with advanced liver disease, Child-Pugh Classes B and C, often with complications. Early diagnosis and Hepatitis B vaccination are crucial for better outcomes in Nigeria.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Child-Pugh grading is vital for managing chronic liver disease, influencing treatment and prognosis.
  • Liver cirrhosis presents significant challenges in Nigeria, affecting patient outcomes.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease globally and in Nigeria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the Child-Pugh grading of liver cirrhosis patients in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
  • To determine the stage of liver disease at presentation in Nigerian patients.
  • To identify the primary etiological factors and complications in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 64 liver cirrhosis patients (49 male, 15 female) at Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
  • Classification of patients using the Child-Pugh scoring system.
  • Assessment of clinical presentation, including coagulopathy and encephalopathy, and etiological factors like Hepatitis B virus.

Main Results:

  • Only 1.6% of patients were Child-Pugh Class A; 32.8% were Class B, and 65.6% were Class C.
  • A significant proportion (34 patients) presented with coagulopathy or encephalopathy.
  • Hepatitis B virus-associated liver disease was identified in 64% of the patients.

Conclusions:

  • Nigerian patients with liver cirrhosis frequently present at advanced stages (Child-Pugh Classes B and C).
  • The advanced disease stage at presentation limits treatment options, including surgical interventions.
  • There is an urgent need for earlier diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and widespread Hepatitis B vaccination to mitigate HBV-related liver disease in Nigeria.

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