A European survey on the treatment of ascites in cirrhosis.
A questionnaire to assess the clinical choice of ascites treatment in cirrhosis was distributed to 1473 participants in an EASL meeting. The response rate (295, 20%) was considered satisfactory in view of the heterogeneity of the persons attending this event. Most participants (86.4%) in the survey were hepatologists and gastroenterologists. The following conclusions of the survey are noteworthy: (1) The objective of ascites therapy was to eliminate completely or almost completely the ascitic fluid for 49% of responders and to decrease ascites volume to an acceptable level of patient comfort for 48%; (2) The classical progressive therapeutic schedule of ascites is rarely used; (3) Following mobilisation of ascites, most (82%) maintain patients on diuretic therapy to avoid reaccumulation of ascites; (4) Only 5% of participants did not use paracentesis to manage ascites in cirrhosis. This was the therapeutic procedure most frequently used for patients with refractory ascites; (5) Although the most acceptable definition of refractory ascites was ascites which cannot be mobilized by maximal medical treatment, a significant proportion of participants also considered that intractable ascites due to diuretic-induced complications and recidivant ascites should be included in the definition; (6) The proportions of participants prescribing prophylactic therapy, mainly low sodium diet, to compensated patients with and without a past history of ascites were 68% and 16%, respectively.
Arroyo
V
V
Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Ginès
A
A
Saló
J
J
D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003625:Data Collection; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005060:Europe; D005762:Gastroenterology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D011677:Punctures; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004232:Diuretics