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Published on: August 1, 2018
Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Liver Cirrhosis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study
Augustine A Enenche1,2, Anthony G Kweki3, Henry O Aiwuyo4
1Internal Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, NGA.
Insights
Pulmonary hypertension affects over 30% of liver cirrhosis patients, often presenting mildly. Early detection of symptoms like swelling and ascites is crucial for managing this common complication.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a growing concern in chronic liver disease.
- LC is associated with increased cardiovascular risks, impacting patient outcomes.
- Echocardiographic detection of cardiovascular abnormalities in LC is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with pulmonary hypertension in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 210 adult liver cirrhosis patients.
- Data collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis performed using SPSS 23.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary hypertension detected in 30.5% of participants.
- Mild pulmonary hypertension was the most frequent form observed.
- Symptoms like cough, fatigue, leg and abdominal swelling, and ascites were linked to increased pulmonary hypertension risk (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Liver cirrhosis is associated with a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension.
- Pulmonary hypertension is a significant comorbidity in liver cirrhosis patients.
Background:
Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a common complication of chronic liver disease. Its prevalence has increased markedly over the last few years. With liver cirrhosis comes cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is important that the detection of the abnormalities by echocardiography be given priority, as this can change the clinical outcome of these patients with cardiovascular abnormalities in liver cirrhosis.
Aim:
This study aims to determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in LC patients.
Methods And Materials:
A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at JUTH (Jos University Teaching Hospital) over a period of one year. We recruited 210 adult patients with liver cirrhosis from the gastroenterology clinic and wards for this study. Data from these patients were collected with questionnaires administered by the interviewer and analysed using SPSS 23 statistical software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The data obtained are presented in tables and charts. Categorical variables were expressed as proportions and frequencies, while continuous data were expressed as the median, mean, and standard deviation.
Results:
Pulmonary hypertension was found in 30.5% of the participants, with mild pulmonary hypertension being the most common. No one had severe pulmonary hypertension. There was an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension in patients with coughs, easy fatigability, bilateral leg swelling, abdominal swelling, and ascites (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
The result showed that there is a high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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