BACKGROUND AND AIM

As the exact prevalence of portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) and the etiology of chronic liver disease (CLD) remain unknown, the present study aimed to clarify these points in Japanese patients with CLD using symptom-based questionnaire screening.

METHODS

Patients with CLD were asked to complete an eight-item written questionnaire on pulmonary hypertension (PH) symptoms. If at least one item response was "yes," the patient was offered ultrasonic echocardiography (UCG). Patients identified as having an intermediate or high risk of PH by UCG were referred to a cardiologist for further evaluation, whereby a definitive diagnosis of PoPH was made using right heart catheterization (RHC) findings.

RESULTS

A total of 1111 patients with CLD completed the survey. Of the 566 symptomatic patients with at least one question answered as "yes," approximately half agreed to undergo UCG ( = 267). Compared with asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients were significantly older, predominantly female, and more frequently exhibited cirrhosis. Based on UCG findings, 228, 12, and 8 patients had a low, intermediate, or high risk for PH, respectively. Intermediate-/high-risk patients showed significantly more advanced disease progression status than low-risk patients. The frequencies of answer to the eight questions were comparable. Ultimately, three patients were diagnosed as having PoPH (1.1% of UCG cases), one with underlying hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and two with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).

CONCLUSION

This symptom-based PoPH screening study clarified the prevalence of PoPH in CLD patients according to a PH symptom questionnaire, UCG, and RHC. Patients with HCV and PBC may have a higher risk of PoPH.