Prevalence of Spontaneous Bacteria Peritonitis in Patients with Hypoalbuminemia and Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background and Aim: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most serious complications of ascites, resulting in liver cirrhosis infection, accounting for approximately 25% of all bacterial infections. Within a diagnostic year, the mortality rate for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis ranges from 30% to 90%. The current study attempted to determine the prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with hypoalbuminemia and cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 112 cirrhosis with hypoalbuminemia patients at Medical Unit A, Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar and department of Gastroenterology AK CMH / Sheikh Khalifa bin Zaid Al Nahyan Hospital, Rawalakot Azad Kashmir. The duration of the study was six months from 5th January 2021 to 5th June 2021. All patients of either gender with liver cirrhosis and hypoalbuminemia aged 20 to 60 years were included in the study. Each individual was asked to provide written informed consent. Each patient's creatinine, albumin, and sodium levels were measured in the laboratory using urine and blood sample tests. Each patient's absence or presence of SBP was recorded according to the operational definition. For data analysis, SPSS version 20 was used. Results: Of the total 112 patients, 59 (52.7%) were male and 53 (473%) were female. The overall mean age of the patients was 43.51±4.58 years whereas male and female patients had 47.36±5.62 and 39.66±3.54 years respectively. The number of patients falling in class B and Child Push class C was 50 (44.6%) and 62 (55.4%) respectively. The prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was 48 (42.9%). Out of 48 SBP patients, 29 (60.4%) were male and 19 (39.6%) were female. The prevalence of SBP was seen in 13 (27.1%) cases of Class B and 35 (72.9%) of Class C (Child-Pugh Class) respectively. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus as comorbidities were present in 11 (9.8%) and 25 (22.3%) cases respectively. Conclusion: In the current study, the prevalence of SBP was 42.9%. Our study revealed a higher prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis patients. Also, a significant association has been found between spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and child Pugh Class C and Class B whereas SBP had no substantial connotation with gender, etiology, and even age but with disease duration. Keywords: Cirrhosis; Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis; Hypoalbuminemia