A Study on the Clinico-etiological Profile of Cirrhosis of the Liver and Prognostic Value of the MELD Score on Short-term Survival

Introduction: Although there are a large number of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) in India, the clinico-etiological profile of cirrhosis of the liver and exact prognostic value of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score on short-term survival is scarce, and it needs further evaluation. Aims: To study the etiology of cirrhosis of the liver; observe the clinical manifestations at the time of presentation and the subsequent development of complications in patients having cirrhosis; and calculate the MELD score and assess its usefulness as a prognostic marker in short-term survival of patients with cirrhosis. Methodology: A prospective longitudinal study was performed on 50 patients who presented to our institution with CLD. Patients were subjected to clinical examination and laboratory investigations. The severity of the liver disease was assessed by the MELD score. Results: Alcohol was the most common etiological factor for cirrhosis in 60% patients followed by cryptogenic in 22%, autoimmune hepatitis in 6%, Wilson’s disease in 6%, alcohol with hepatitis B in 4%, and hepatitis C in 2% patients. Patients with a MELD score of 40 or more have 0% 3-month survival rate. The 3-month survival rate in patients having a MELD score of 30 to 39 is 50%, followed by 75% in patients having a MELD score of 20 to 29. Patients with a MELD score ≤ 9 have 100% 3-month survival rate. Conclusion: Alcohol was the most common etiological factor for cirrhosis in our study. Three-month survival rates were inversely related to the MELD score.