CIRRHOSIS IN YOUNG VERSUS OLD AGE GROUPS-COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL PROFILES

(ABSTRACT) Background - Cirrhosis is a generally considered to be a disease of middle and old age. Prevalence of cirrhosis in young patients (age less than 35 years)is less than 5 in west and around 35 in India. This study aims to find the prevalence, aetiology and clinical presentation of young age cirrhosis in south Indian population. Methods - Retrospective analysis of 130 consecutive cirrhotic patients charts admitted between October 2010 to June 2011was analysed. Clinical profile of young and old age cirrhotics were compared. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was made by clinical, imaging, endoscopic assessment. Results - A total of 130 patients were admitted with cirrhosis out of which 21patients (16) were less than 35 years. Aetiology was similar in both groups but alcohol was more common in older patients (66.9) compared to younger patients(38).There were more number of cryptogenic cirrhosis in young (42.9 ) than in older patients (19.2) .Gastrointestinal bleed was more common in young(66) compared to older patients(33)(p0.005) . None of the young patients had hepatic encephalopathy. Grade 4 varices were more common in the young (19 vs. 2.7)(p0.026). Conclusion - Cirrhosis is not uncommon in the young. Gastrointestinal bleeding is more common in the young. Aetiology is similar in both groups but alcohol is less common in the young and there is significant number of cryptogenic cases.