Patients with cirrhosis who visit the emergency department frequently have a higher mortality rate at 360 days. A study of 2124 adults with cirrhosis who visited the ED found that high ED utilizers (HEDU) were younger, more likely to be White, and have alcohol-related liver disease. Reasons for initial ED visits included abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and ascites. HEDU returned to the ED sooner and had higher mortality rates than non-HEDU. Factors contributing to high ED utilization included age, undetermined cirrhosis etiology, severity of liver disease, and prior ED visits. The study highlights the risk of mortality in cirrhosis patients who are frequent ED visitors.
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ED Visits and Mortality in Patients With Cirrhosis
