Clinical Profile and Short-Term Outcomes of Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis in a Tertiary-Care Hospital: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Decompensated cirrhosis is an advanced manifestation of chronic liver disease associated with complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and variceal haemorrhage. These complications may require hospitalization and are associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Assessment of clinical presentation, laboratory abnormalities and disease severity can help characterize hospitalized patients.
Aim: To describe the clinical profile and short-term outcomes of patients admitted with decompensated cirrhosis to a tertiary-care hospital.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was planned using hospital records of 45 patients with decompensated cirrhosis at Governement Medical College, Vizianagaram over one year. Data were intended to cover demographic characteristics, underlying aetiology, clinical complications, laboratory parameters, MELD-Na score and in-hospital outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize available information. Associations between clinical characteristics and hospital outcomes were to be assessed where the completeness of the records permitted.
Results: Among 45 patients, ascites was recorded in 5 (11.1%), hepatic encephalopathy in 3 (6.7%) and variceal bleeding in 10 (22.2%). A count of 12 (26.7%) was supplied for aetiology, but the specific aetiological category was not identified. A figure of 15 (33.3%) was also supplied for laboratory results, although its precise meaning requires clarification. The distribution of MELD-Na scores and the number of patients who died or were discharged alive were not provided.
Conclusion: The available summary identifies several clinical complications among the 45 patients but is insufficient to establish the overall severity profile or in-hospital mortality. Completion of the laboratory, MELD-Na and outcome data is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.