Decompensated Cirrhosis and Hyponatremia at the Libreville University Hospital : Epidemiological, Etiological and Evolutionary Aspects
Abstract:
Introduction: Decompensated cirrhosis represents the final stage of liver diseases. In Africa, its frequency is increased by the prevalence of viral hepatitis, which worsens the prognosis. Hyponatremia is a complication of this pathology; however, in Gabon, few studies have focused on the associated factors and complications of hyponatremia. It therefore seemed relevant to conduct this research to assess the epidemiological profile and the impact of hyponatremia in cirrhotic patients.
Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study from January 2021 to February 2023 at the Libreville University Hospital, including 125 patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis who had an ionogram performed within 24 hours of admission, after obtaining informed consent. Sociodemographic, clin ical, biological and therapeutic data were collected and analyzed using Excel 2019 and SPSS 20.0.
Results: Hyponatremia was identified in 35.20% of the patients. The presence of known cirrhosis and treatment interruption were significantly associated with hyponatremia, which manifested as increased severity (Child Pugh C score) and a higher frequency of hepatorenal syndrome.
Conclusion: Hyponatremia is a major aggravating factor requiring rigorous management. These results high light the urgency of improving monitoring and therapeutic strategies to significantly reduce mortality.
