**2.1 Variables studied**

The variables studied were:


128 Liver Transplantation – Basic Issues

In a review of 118 studies conducted by D'Amico (D'Amico G, 2006) the Child-Pugh was reported as the best predictor of mortality in cirrhosis, followed by the five components

Said (Said A, 2004) noted that in one year follow up of cirrhotic patients, male gender, MELD score, Child-Pugh and encephalopathy, were associated with increased mortality.

Botta (Botta F, 2003) compared the survival of cirrhotic patients at 6 and 12 months using a multivariate analysis including variables of Child-Pugh, MELD and a quantitative test of liver function test monoetilglicinexylidide (MEGX). At six months, MEGX, creatinine and prothrombin time were disposed as predictive factors of lower survival. The ascites was

Attia (Attia KA, 2008) reported as independent predictors of mortality in 172 African

London (London MC, 2007), in a study of 308 cirrhotic patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation, described the serum sodium and MELD score as independent predictors of

Samada (Samada M, 2008) conducted a study in 144 patients with liver cirrhosis and transplant candidates. The variables associated with lower survival at 12 months were: prothrombin time, bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol, serum sodium, sex, history of ascites and encephalopathy. Also MELD index and Child-Pugh stages were evaluated. But only the Child-Pugh score and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were independent predictors of

In conclusion we can state that detailed clinical evaluation of patients with liver cirrhosis and knowledge of prognostic factors associated with survival, could lead to proper management of these patients, the appropriate indication for liver transplantation and increased survival. This has been the principal motivation of the present study, in order to recognize the prognostic factors for survival in patients with cirrhosis within a three year

We performed a descriptive, prospective, and longitudinal study in 194 patients with liver cirrhosis. All were referred to the consultation of hepatology and liver transplantation at CIMEQ hospital between January 2004 and April 2011. The sample was composed of 144 patients who met the following inclusion criteria: diagnosis of liver cirrhosis (confirmed by laparoscopy, liver biopsy or ultrasound) and rolling up at least 36 months (three years). Patients who underwent liver transplantation during the study period, those who were lost to follow-up, died of causes unrelated to liver disease, and those who at the time of assessment presented hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma or other malignancies were excluded. Were also excluded four patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome. The frequency of evaluations was determined by clinical assessment

The confirmation of alcoholic and viral etiology was performed. The surface antigen for hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) by UMELISA HBsAg and antibody for HCV by HCV–UMELISA,

Independent predictors were the Child-Pugh and encephalopathy.

patients with cirrhosis, the Child-Pugh score, MELD index, and creatinine.

measured individually.

added at 12 months.

survival.

period.

**2. Methods** 

of patients at least twice a year.

survival at 3 and 12 months.



The total score classifies patients into grade A, B, or C (ordinal scale) according to the points on continuous 5-15-point scale, which depends on ascites, encephalopathy, jaundice, serum albumin, and prothrombin time prolongation(Pugh RNH, 1973)

Table 1. Child-Pugh classification for the survival prognosis in liver cirrhosis
