Abstract

The aim of the study is to correlate hypoalbuminemia with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients of liver cirrhosis. A detailed clinical history was obtained from the study population and thorough examination of the patient was done. Ascites was graded as per the International Ascites Club criteria. The study group was subjected to the Biochemical, microbiological, and radiological investigations. Result: All the study population in this group had moderate to severe ascites, among them 30% of cases had tense ascites. Icterus was seen in 12% of cases. Serum Bilirubin level ranged from 0.3–4.6 mg/dl (mean value of 1.70). Pedal edema was seen in 48% patients. Fever was the inclusion criteria and was present in all cases. Asterixis was seen in 12% of patients. Hepatomegaly was seen in 4% of patients only those who were in early phase of cirrhosis and was having moderate ascites. Hypoalbuminemia was present in 22% patients. Abdominal tenderness was seen in 22% of patients. There were 6% SBP (culture positive), 12% CNNA (only high cell count), Mono-bacterial ascites was present in 2% (only organism grown in culture, PMN <250/mm3). Conclusion: Presence of hypoalbuminemia may be associated with increased risk of developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Further studies are needed in this direction

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