Predictive factors of recurrence in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in Tunisian patients with cirrhosis.

Abstract

Recurrent spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis is associated with poor prognosis. To assess the prevalence and the risk factors for recurrence and to evaluate its impact on the prognosis. We conducted a retrospective study including patients with cirrhosis having a first episode of SBP. A recurrence of SBP was identified in 43.4% of the patients who survived after a first episode of SBP. The mean time to onset of the first SBP recurrence from the first episode was 32days. Recurrence factors were endoscopic hypertensive signs, a positive ascites culture, diarrhea and the MELD score. There was no impact on survival of recurrent SBP compared with the first SBP episode.