Retrospective Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Surg. Mar 27, 2024; 16(3): 751-758
Published online Mar 27, 2024. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v16.i3.751
Clinical study on the relationship between liver cirrhosis, ascites, and hyponatremia
Xuan-Ji Li, Hui-Hui Meng
Xuan-Ji Li, Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Hui-Hui Meng, Department of Hepatology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China
Co-first authors: Xuan-Ji Li and Hui-Hui Meng.
Author contributions: Li XJ and Meng HH designed the study, collected and analyzed the clinical data and wrote the paper, contributed equally to this work as co-first authors; and both authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: This study protocol was approved by Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Informed consent statement: All the families have voluntarily participated in the study and have signed informed consent forms.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declared no conflict of interest existing in this paper.
Data sharing statement: Data generated in this study can be obtained from the corresponding author.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hui-Hui Meng, MM, Nurse, Department of Hepatology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 4 Huayuanshan, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China. lixuanji814@163.com
Received: December 22, 2023
Peer-review started: December 22, 2023
First decision: January 9, 2024
Revised: January 12, 2024
Accepted: January 31, 2024
Article in press: January 31, 2024
Published online: March 27, 2024
Processing time: 91 Days and 9.5 Hours
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

Cirrhosis is a common liver disease, and patients often suffer from ascites, and some patients develop hyponatremia. However, there is a lack of in-depth research on the clinical manifestations, prognostic factors, and the relationship between ascites and hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis, so this study aims to fill this knowledge gap and improve the diagnosis and treatment of this patient group. Provide more accurate strategies.

Research motivation

Ascites combined with hyponatremia is a high-risk condition in patients with cirrhosis, but its clinical characteristics, treatment options, and prognostic factors are currently poorly understood. By delving deeper into this complex pathological condition, we hope to provide clinicians with more comprehensive information that will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients.

Research objectives

The goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical manifestations of ascites combined with hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis, identify its prognostic factors, and explore the relationship between the two. Through a retrospective analysis of 150 patients, we aim to provide more accurate diagnosis and treatment strategies to improve patients' quality of life and prognosis.

Research methods

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 150 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis and ascites who were admitted to the hospital from 2017 to 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: the ascites combined with hyponatremia group and the ascites group. The general characteristics, degree of hyponatremia, complications, treatment conditions and prognosis of the two groups were compared. Through this method, the study aims to comprehensively understand the characteristics of ascites combined with hyponatremia and provide basic data for future diagnosis and treatment.

Research results

The results of the study showed that patients in the ascites combined with hyponatremia group were older on average and had a higher proportion of males. Hyponatremia becomes significantly more severe, accompanied by more hepatic encephalopathy, renal impairment, and infection. The use of diuretics and salt supplementation is more common in treatment regimens, but this group of patients has significantly increased in-hospital mortality and a relatively poor prognosis. These results highlight ascites combined with hyponatremia as a high-risk condition in patients with cirrhosis and suggest the importance of close monitoring and effective treatment.

Research conclusions

In patients with cirrhosis, ascites combined with hyponatremia is a high-risk condition associated with serious complications. The patient's age, gender, degree of hyponatremia, and treatment regimen are closely related to prognosis. The prognosis of patients in the ascites combined with hyponatremia group is relatively poor. Clinicians should closely monitor this patient group and adopt effective treatment measures. Early intervention and maintenance of appropriate electrolyte balance are crucial to improve quality of life.

Research perspectives

This study provides an important reference for future clinical practice. Based on the study results, further long-term follow-up and larger-scale studies will help to gain a deeper understanding of the development mechanism of ascites combined with hyponatremia in patients with cirrhosis and more effective treatment strategies. In addition, interdisciplinary research collaboration may promote a more comprehensive understanding of this complex pathological state and provide useful directions for future medical progress.