Objective To explore the risk factors of liver cirrhosis complicated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis ( SBP ).Methods 350 patients with liver cirrhosis were divided into SBP group ( 145 patients ) and non-SBP group ( 205 patients ).The age,sex,course of disease,history of SBP and diabetes,upper gastrointestinal bleeding,ascitic fluid total protein,time to occurrence of ascites,and levels of platelet,C-reactive protein,and serum total bilirubin were compared between the two groups.Results There were significant differences between the two groups in level of ascitic fluid total protein,history of SBP and diabetes,serum total bilirubin,gastrointestinal bleeding,and time to occurrence of ascites ( P < 0.05 ).Conclusions Ascitic fluid total protein and other factors are closely associated with liver cirrhosis complicated with peritonitis,to which should be paid more attention.Prevention and treatment should be administered correctly. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Peritonitis; Risk factors