CLINICAL PROFILE OF CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARYCARE CENTRE IN SOUTHERN KERALA-ORIGINAL RESEARCHARTICLE

Abstract

Introduction
Cirrhosis is a pathological chronic condition of the liver which results in a spectrum of clinical
manifestations. A study of various clinical manifestations of cirrhosis is needful for the easy
diagnosis and early initiation of treatment which could prevent the progression and morbidity
related to cirrhosis
Materials and methods
This study was conducted in 150 patients who attended out patient Department/casualty of a
tertiary care centre in southern kerala. They were divided into 3 classes namely alcoholic
cirrhotics, non alcoholic cirrhotics and age and gender matched controls numbering 50 in each
class. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was confirmed by good quality ultrasound and the clinical
features of each patient were studied carefully. The statistics were obtained and the classes
were compared
Results
The commonest presenting symptom among alcoholic cirrhosis patients was fatigue (90%),
followed by abdominal dissension (76%), Icterus (74%), abdominal pain (74%) and
nausea/vomiting (56%).The commonest presenting symptom among non alcoholic cirrhosis
patients was fatigue (80%), followed by nausea/vomiting (72%) abdominal dissension (70%),
abdominal pain (70%) and Icterus (66%).
Icterus was the commonest clinical sign which was seen in 74% of the alcoholics and 76% of
non alcoholics whereas spider naevi was a common finding in alcoholic cirrhotics
Conclusion
The study shows that fatigue, ascites and icterus are chief clinical features in cirrhosis and
anyone coming with such symptoms should be subjected to detailed liver function workup.