Frequency of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome and its Associated Factors in Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary dysfunction including hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important complication of cirrhosis and portal hypertension which affects the treatment and disease prognosis. Although HPS most commonly presents in patients with cirrhosis, it has also been reported among cases of chronic hepatitis with no cirrhosis or portal hypertension. In cirrhotic cases with HPS, survival was significantly decreased compared with cirrhotic cases without HPS. Objective: The current study aimed to determine the frequency of hepatopulmonary syndrome and its associated factors in decompensated liver cirrhosis. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from May 30, 2021, to November 29, 2021. A total of 96 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. Relevant history from each patient, and demographic characteristics i.e. age, gender and duration of disease were noted in each patient. After this, the child-pugh class was noted. The presence or absence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in each patient was noted. Statistical Package for Social Science was used. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 39.44 ± 9.91 years. Out of the 96 patients, 82.17% were male and 17.71% were females with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1. Hepatopulmonary syndrome was found in 48.96% of patients. There was no association of hepatopulmonary syndrome with age, gender, duration of disease, Child pugh class and alcoholism, only a statistically significant effect of smoking on hepatopulmonary syndrome was noted. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the frequency of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in decompensated liver cirrhosis patients is 48.96% and smoking has a strong significant association.