Epidemiological and prognostic profiles of decompensated cirrhosis at the National Hospital of Zinder

Abstract

Introduction : cirrhosis is the progressive stage of most chronic liver diseases. Objective : to describe the epidemiological and prognostic aspects of decompensated cirrhosis in a context of high hepatitis B virus endemicity. Patients and methods : This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study from January 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, of patients hospitalized in the hepato-gastroenterology (HGE) department of the Hôpital National de Zinder (HNZ) for decompensated cirrhosis. Results : During the study period, we hospitalized 270 patients with 113 cases of chronic liver disease, including 85 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, representing 31.48% of hospitalizations. The mean age was 51.09±13.43 years, with a male predominance (sex ratio 3.72). Reasons for hospitalization were diffuse and/or localized abdominal pain, digestive hemorrhage and disturbances of consciousness. Patients were classified as CHILD C in 96.47% (n=82). Viral hepatitis B accounted for 78.82% (n=67) of etiologies. Patient outcome was marked by complications in 47.05% (n=40) and death in 31.76% (n=27). Complications included hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic encephalopathy, digestive haemorrhage and ascites fluid infection in 40%, 34.11%, 30.58% and 7.05% respectively. These complications were statistically associated with death in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and ascites infection. Conclusion : Decompensated cirrhosis is a common chronic liver disease. Hepatitis B virus infection is the main etiology. Its complications are formidable, dominated by hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites infection and the consequences of digestive haemorrhage