LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER AND UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL-BLEEDING

  • 1 October 1989
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 84  (10) , 1239-1243
Abstract
A study has been carried out on the 5-yr survival curves of 287 patients admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and portal hypertension. In 78.7%, the cause of bleeding was from esophageal varices. Only 24% had noncirrhotic portal hypertension, and 80% were alcoholics. At 5 yr, the overall survival probability was 26.2%. The curve had three segments with survival rates of 69% at 2 wk and 46.6% at 12 months. According to Child''s grade, the curves were very different at 2 wk, 12 months, and 60 months: Group A, 94.0, 78.0, and 51.8%; group B, 77.0, 46.0, and 32.2; group C, 52.0, 11.0 and 2.3%. The largest differences were observed in the first 2 wk immediately after the first bleeding. The recurrence of bleeding in a period of 6 months significantly decreased the survival. Age, as well as the introduction of prophylactic measures (propranolol or sclerotherapy) did not influence long-term survival. Alcohol abstinence was accompanied by better survival. This difference was due to the impact of abstinence only in group B patients.