[Causes of death in a sample of cirrhotic patients from Madagascar].

OBJECTIVE

Cirrhotic patients have poorer life expectancy than the general population. The purpose of this study was to identify causes of death in a sample of cirrhotic patients from Madagascar.

METHODS

A retrospective analytic and descriptive study was conducted on the files of cirrhotic inpatients admitted to the gastroenterology department of the Joseph Raseta Befelatanana University Hospital Center in Antananarivo, Madagascar from January 1, 2003 to June 30, 2007.

RESULTS

The files of 117 patients were reviewed. Death occurred in 31 cases for a mortality rate of 26.5%. The main causes of death were disorders of consciousness (51.6%) and hypovolemic shock (25.8%). Jaundice, encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal bleeding were predictive factors for mortality.

CONCLUSION

Cirrhotic patients in this study were hospitalized at a late stage of disease. Further prospective study in a larger sample will be needed to standardize the management protocol in Madagascar.