[Etiologies of mortality in the hepato-gastroenterology and internal medicine department at the Sino-Central African Friendship University Hospital].

Abstract

Objective: to contribute to improving the care of patients hospitalized in the department.

Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional study from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. We included patients of both sexes hospitalized and who died in the department whose cause of death was known.

Results: During the study period, 1324 patients were hospitalized, of whom 279 died (21.07%). Of the 279 cases of death, 222 were included in the study. The clinical signs were: deterioration in general condition (95%), ascites (61.7%), hepatomegaly (57.6%), jaundice (44.9%). The most frequent diagnoses retained in our patients were: cirrhosis (39.6%), primary liver cancer (30.6%), HIV infection (11.4%), pancreatic cancer '6.8%). Causes of death were in order of frequency: hepatic encephalopathy (22.5%), primary end-stage liver cancer (20.3%), ascites fluid infection (16.2%) , hypovolemic shock (14.9%).

Conclusion: The deceased patients had chronic liver disease with a significant deterioration in general condition. Deaths are due to infectious and metabolic complications. An improvement of the technical platform is essential.