Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: risk factors and relationship to serum-ascites albumin gradient in chronic liver disease patient

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is probably the best characterized infectious complication that develops in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Aims and objective: The present study was done to find the incidence of SBP in patients of chronic liver disease and to find its correlation with serum ascites albumin gradient. Material and Methods: A total of 55 patients were selected for the study and divided into 2 groups; Group A - spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and Group B -sterile cirrhotic ascites (SCA). Diagnosis was done by calculating SAAG (Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient) which reflects the differences in osmotic pressure and correlates with portal venous pressure. Total ascitic protein and ascitic -serum total protein ratio were taken as a diagnostic parameter for SBP. Results: Maximum incidence of disease was found between 31-50 years of age. Serum albumin values in SBP (2.50±0.31 gm/dl) when compared with SCA (2.85±0.39) and total ascites albumin in SBP (0.41±0.21) with SCA (0.89±0.31) were significantly different (p<0.001, t=3.59 and p<0.001, t=6.58 respectively). No significant difference (p>0.05, t=1.17) was found in serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), when it was compared between SBP (2.09±0.42 mg/dl) and SCA (1.96±0.37 gm/dl). Conclusion: In a patient of cirrhosis with ascites early diagnosis of development of SBP in a case of SCA can prevent mortality.