Analysis of patients with suspected diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in the emergency department

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics, microbiological and laboratory parameters of the patients diagnosed with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in the tertiary emergency department and to determine the inhospital mortality rates. Material and Methods: A total of 294 patients who met these criteria and whose data were fully accessible from the hospital information management system included in the study. Demographic data such as age, gender, cirrhosis etiology, laboratory results and in-hospital mortality were recorded on the study form previously prepared. Child-Pugh and model for end stage liver disease (MELD) scores were calculated according to the formulas. Results: The mean age of the patients was 49 ± 17 years (mean ± SD) and 212 (72.1%) were male. When the patients were examined in terms of the etiology of cirrhosis; the most common cause was viral hepatitis with 53.4% (n: 157), followed by alcoholic hepatitis with 28.4% (n: 83). In terms of Child-Pugh grades, 45.2% (n: 132) of the patients were Child-Pugh grade C. In acid fluid analysis; there were 57 (19.3%) patients in SBP group, 45 (15.3%) patients in the culture negative neutrocytic ascites group and 192 (65.4%) patients in monomicrobial bacterascites group. Conclusion: Since the first admission address of these patients are mostly ED, especially emergency physicians should always keep this diagnosis in mind for such patients.