Objectives: To determine the proportion of newly detected ascites and to describe the clinical characteristics and investigate selected associated factors in patients with liver cirrhosis in Can Tho City during 2024–2025. Study design: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis at Can Tho Central General Hospital and Can Tho City General Hospital from May 2024 to May 2025. Cases of newly detected ascites were identified during the study period. Results: Among 817 hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis, 32 cases of newly detected ascites were identified, accounting for 3.9%. Patients with newly detected ascites were predominantly male and older than 60 years, with alcohol-related cirrhosis and hepatitis B/C-related cirrhosis being the most common etiologies. Most cases were identified when ascites was already moderate to severe and when cirrhosis had progressed to the decompensated stage, with Child–Pugh class B being the most common. Hypoalbuminemia and cirrhosis due to alcohol or viral hepatitis B/C were significantly associated with newly detected ascites (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Newly detected ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis commonly occurs at an advanced stage of the disease. Close monitoring of liver function and proactive management of risk factors are crucial for early detection and for limiting decompensating complications of cirrhosis.
CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF NEWLY DETECTED ASCITES IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS IN CAN THO CITY, 2024–2025
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Abstract
Keywords
liver cirrhosis; newly detected ascites; Child–Pugh classification; serum albumin.
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