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Management and outcomes of hepatic cirrhosis: Findings from the RING study

M Soncini1, P Leo, O Triossi

  • 1Gastroenterology, S. Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II 3, 20153 Milano, Italy.

Hepatology Research : the Official Journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology
|September 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hepatic cirrhosis is a common reason for hospital admission, with a 5.7% mortality rate. Severity, hepatorenal syndrome, and bleeding varices significantly impact patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatic cirrhosis is a frequent cause of ordinary hospital admissions.
  • The RING study analyzed hospital discharge files from Italian gastroenterology units.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of patients admitted for hepatic cirrhosis.
  • To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of cirrhosis patients in Italian hospitals.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of over 50,000 hospital discharge files collected between 2001 and 2004.
  • Inclusion of data from 26 Italian hospital gastroenterology units.

Main Results:

  • Hepatic cirrhosis accounted for 16% of admissions, with 45% in Child-Pugh class C.
  • Common complications included ascites (61.1%), portal-systemic encephalopathy (29.9%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (29.2%).
  • In-hospital mortality for cirrhosis was 5.7%, double the rate for other diagnoses, and strongly associated with Child-Pugh class, hepatorenal syndrome, and bleeding varices.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatic cirrhosis represents a significant burden on hospital resources with higher mortality.
  • The Child-Pugh score is a valuable prognostic indicator for cirrhosis patients.
  • Hepatorenal syndrome and bleeding varices are critical complications influencing in-hospital mortality.
Abstract

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