title: Characteristics of cirrhosis undiagnosed during life: a comparative analysis of 73 undiagnosed cases and 149 diagnosed cases of cirrhosis, detected in 4929 consecutive autopsies.
abstract: In 4929 consecutive autopsies performed during a period of 4 years, 222 cases (4.5%) of cirrhosis were found, of which 149 (3%) were detected while the patients were alive (diagnosed cirrhosis) and 73 (1.5%) were not detected while the patients were living (undiagnosed cirrhosis). Fifty-three of the 73 undiagnosed patients appeared to be completely without signs of cirrhosis (silent cirrhosis). In the diagnosed group, 70% of patients died from hepatic causes, in contrast to 16% in the undiagnosed group. At autopsy, the following complications of cirrhosis were found more frequently in the diagnosed group than in the undiagnosed group: ascites (41% vs. 8%), oesophageal varices (44% vs. 10%), splenomegaly (52% vs. 29%). The prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma did not differ significantly in the two groups (12% vs. 8%). It is concluded that cirrhosis without obvious signs occurs relatively frequently, and that no sensitive non-invasive screening methods are available at present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine B, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Graudal
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leth
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mårbjerg
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Galløe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors