Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Liver Cirrhosis Patients Having Hepatic Encephalopathy

Aim: To find out the frequency of SBP in patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy and association of different grades of hepatic encephalopathy with SBP. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur form March 2012 to February 2013. Patients with hepatic encephalopathy and ascites age from 20 to 60 years were included in this study. Patients were labeled as having SBP when ascetic fluid neutrophil count > 250/ml. Hepatic encephalopathy was graded according to west heaven criteria. Results: Total 130 patients with hepatic encephalopathy were included in this study. Mean age of patients was 39.86 +/- 12.9. Males were 106(81.5%) and females were 24(18.5%). Overall SBP was present in 64 (49.2%) patients. Conclusion: SBP and HE are common complications of liver cirrhosis patients. SBP commonly found in HE patients. Both may precipitating each other as a risk factor. So every patient of liver cirrhosis with HE should be assumed have SBP until proved otherwise. So should be treated or prevented promptly.