EVALUATION OF MODEL FOR END STAGE LIVER DISEASE (MELD) SCORE IN SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS (SBP) IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

We determined MELD scores in patients of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) with liver cirrhosis. All patients (n=85) had MELD scores on the basis of laboratory values of serum creatinine, serum bilirubin and PT/INR (Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio). MELD scores were calculated according to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) method. The 73 (85.88%) patients presented with abdominal pain, 64 (73%) patients with fever, 25 (29%) patients with encephalopathy and 13 were having dyspnea (15.29%). The 49 (57.65%) patients had paracentesis in the past. Among 85 patients, 51 (60%) were having ascites for one year and 24 (28%) patients for more than one year. Serology for viral markers showed that 68 (80%) patients were positive for anti-HCV antibodies and 8 (9.4%) patients were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen while, 3 (3.5%) patients were positive for both B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. In the remaining 6 patients, 2 (2.35%) patients were due to alcoholic cirrhosis and in 4 (4.7%) patients, viral markers were negative. The 32 (37.64%) patients had a MELD score in the range of 21-25, 20 (23.52%) patients had scores of 26-30, while only 10 (11.76%) patients had MELD score > 30. Through MELD score that SBP is more associated with male patients (61%) compared to (39%) female patients. Overall, among all 85 patients, the 77 (90.59 %) patients had a high MELD score (?16) and 8 (9.41 %) patients had a low MELD score. Therefore, in patients with liver cirrhosis who had SBP, the MELD score is found higher.