A FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON THE PROGNOSIS OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

A follow-up study of 185 cases of liver cirrhosis admitted in our institution during a period of 1971-1980 was undertaken to determine survival rate of these patients and compared to the survival rate reported previously from our institution during a period of 1956-1966.
The 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 year cumulative survival rates were 83.2%, 77.3%, 69.0%, 61.9%, 55.2%, 38.0%, 35.7%, respectively. The 1, 2, 3 and 4 year survival rates were significantly improved as compared to the rates reported in the previous study. Much greater improvement was achieved in the cases with ascites or hypoalbuminemia.
In regard to treatment, the use of more potent diuretics (spironolactone and furosemide), plasma protein preparations (albuminate, plasmanate or albumin) and lactulose increased significantly and cases treated with corticosteroids decreased as compared to the previous study.
The causes of 93 deaths constituted liver failuar (44.1%), gastrointestinal bleeding (18.3%), hepatocellular carcinoma (24.7%) and other non-liver-related causes (12.9%). As compared to the previous study, frequencies of liver failuar and gastrointestinal bleeding decreased and frequencies of other causes including hepatocellular carcinoma increased.