Relationship between Albumin Levels and the Incidence of Ascites in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Authors

  • Vesri Yoga Division of Gastroenterohepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
  • Arnelis Division of Gastroenterohepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
  • Nasrul Zubir Division of Gastroenterohepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
  • Saptino Miro Division of Gastroenterohepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
  • Andry Kurniawan Division of Gastroenterohepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37275/bsm.v6i18.739

Keywords:

Albumin levels, Ascites, Hypoalbuminemia, Liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: Patients with cirrhosis often develop hypoalbuminemia. In conditions of hepatic dysfunction, albumin synthesis is decreased due to hepatic dysfunction and abnormal distribution of portal blood flow. Ascites is a major complication and an important sign in the course of cirrhosis and is associated with 50% mortality after two years. 75% of patients' ascites etiology is liver cirrhosis, 10% malignancy, 3% heart failure, 2% tuberculosis, 1% pancreatitis, and others.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from the medical records of patients with liver cirrhosis who were treated at the internal medicine section of Dr. M Djamil General Hospital, Padang, in 2015-2020. Patients with heart defects, malignancy, tuberculosis, pancreatitis, kidney failure, and incomplete medical record data were excluded from the study. Patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of ascites and albumin levels. Analysis using the chi-square test in 2020.

Results: From 225 cases, 103 cases were analyzed. 77 were men (74.8%), and 26 were women (25.2%). The age of the patient was in the range of 40-60 years. No ascites were found in 30 people (29.1%), and 73 people (70.9%) had ascites. From normal albumin levels, five were without ascites, and four were with ascites. On mild hypoalbumin, 13 had no ascites, and 38 people had ascites. On severe hypoalbumin, 12 people were without ascites and 31 with ascites. A chi-square test was analyzed, and it was found that there was no relationship between the incidence of ascites and albumin levels (p 0.182).

Conclusion: The incidence of ascites is not related to blood albumin levels.

Authors

  • Vesri Yoga1*
  • Arnelis1
  • Nasrul Zubir1
  • Saptino Miro1
  • Andry Kurniawan1
  1. 1Division of Gastroenterohepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia

Corresponding author Vesri Yoga — vesriyoga@gmail.com

Article history

  1. Submitted
  2. Accepted
  3. Published

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Published

2023-02-06

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How to Cite

1.
Yoga V, Arnelis, Nasrul Zubir, Saptino Miro, Andry Kurniawan. Relationship between Albumin Levels and the Incidence of Ascites in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis. Bioscmed [Internet]. 2023 Feb. 6 [cited 2026 Aug. 12];6(18):2957-60. Available from: https://bioscmed.com/index.php/bsm/article/view/739

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