Child Pugh scoring

[angse]

Hi everyone. Hope you all keeping as well as possible, would anyone know what Child Pugh score A is thanks. Angse

[AyrshireK]

Hi Angse, In medicine (gastroenterology), the Child-Pugh score is used to assess the prognosis of chronic liver disease, mainly cirrhosis. Although it was originally used to predict mortality during surgery, it is now used to determine the prognosis, as well as the required strength of treatment and the necessity of liver transplantation.

When doc's do their calculations based on blood results, presence of ascites, HE etc. they come up with a set of figures.

Child Pugh A is a score of 5-6 points and is the lowest possible ie. has 100% chance of 1 year survival and 85% 2 year survival as compared to B scoring 7-9 points and with only 81% 1 year survival and 57% 2 year survival and C which is a score of 10-15 indicating a possible 45% 1 year survival and 35% 2 year survival. Please note these are only 'indicators' and not definite so don't scare yourselves.

In Britain and for transplant assessment purposes they use the UKELD or MELD scale for which a mark of 49 is the base line for transplant (unless there are other mitigating factors).

I hope this helps and if you're the one with a Child Pugh Score A - good news.

Katie xx

[angse in reply to AyrshireK]

Hello Katie thanks very much for your reply,that has cleared things up for me immensely, why on earth are some doctors not straight with you, they could save us a lot of worry. Thanks again. Hope you are keeping well. Angse

[Ph1ldad]

Hi angsie, as ayreshirek says the child_Pugh score is used for survivability guides. They are used in the states tho so not that relevant over here. As she says we use the ukeld score. My score is 48 so not normally considered for a transplant but have developed HCC so the score is no longer the defining point and am hopefully going on the list soon. regards phil

[Bolly]

Hi angse, As Ayrshire says these are guidance figures only, I'm Child Pugh A and have survived 4+ years since being given that number, lol! I hope to survive many more.

I too wonder why doctors dont tell us a lot of this stuff, but I guess they have to assess how we deal with information, whether we will be ok or whether we will struggle with some news. It varies person to person how much info you want, but if you ask your medics to explain anything you dont understand while you are in clinic, and appear well informed yourself, they may start to share more with you. Hope that helps

[richoanajess in reply to Bolly]

Hi Bolly, I have Cirrhosis as well but none of my doctors ever mentioned a MELD score or the Child Pugh. I am 3 and a half years since diagnosis, feeling healthier than ever before in my life with no signs of ascites, he, varices or jaundice...do you think i should ask about these things or just carry on staying healthy until things start to deteriorate?

[AyrshireK in reply to richoanajess]

My hubby has had cirrhosis since April 2012 and never once have we been told any of the scores, it really isn't relevant to you they are a tool for the doctors. If you are relatively symptom free and feeling well then concentrate on living life to the max, some people end up becoming overly obsessed with the scores and results when the important thing is how you are feeling.

Katie

[richoanajess in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you Katie I appreciate what you're saying.