Child-Pugh chart (A, B, C)

[bjfewell]

Wondering if anyone has experience with the C-P Chart?

Saw husband's surgeon recently expecting to have ascites drain. Both my husband and myself have trust and respect for this Dr. b/c, unlike the hepatologist, he does not judge.

He said no fluid to drain; discomfort due to "left sided portal hypertension". Due to acute cirrhosis (including left side of liver which is less common) viens and arteries could no longer penetrate the liver causing them to reroute.

Using the Child-Pugh chart Dr placed him as a 'B' which gives a 4 to 14 year life expectancy; however, it doesn't say what that is based on. Are they assuming the patient stops drinking or at least starts eating a healthy diet and exercising?

My husband is drinking more than ever, eats a lousy diet and can hardly handle steps. Now he's started propping up in bed throughout the day b/c he's so uncomfortable which causes him to drink more b/c that scares him... but not enough to quit!!

Appreciate any feedback. Thanks

[AyrshireK]

I've provided a link to a Wikipedia page which explains what is looked at as regards how they score the Child-Pugh Chart. Which blood tests and also which symptoms provide the figures. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child...

Child Pugh B is a score between 7 & 9 and indicates a 81% survival rate in the first year dropping to a 57% survival rate in year two (this isn't hard and fast for everyone but it's an indicator - Transplant Units in the UK now use the UKELD score as a measure of life expectancy - UKELD being the United Kingdom Model for End-Stage Liver Disease with a score of 49 being the minimum required for listing for Transplant).

Cirrhosis is a progressive condition unless the cause of the liver damage can be halted so your husbands continued alcohol intake is only going to continue damaging his liver and before long he'll be Child-Pugh C and end stage - he will also NOT be a candidate for liver transplant as ongoing alcohol use is a contraindication to T/P and a minimum 6 month period of abstinence is required before any unit will assess him for transplant.

If he could tackle his alcohol and increase his food intake, exercise and more then he could go on for years. But, continuing to assail his liver as he is he won't get many more years at all.

Wishing you all the very best, it must be hellish when you love someone so much and they continue on a path to self-destruct.

Katie

[dezzza33 in reply to AyrshireK]

totaly agree you know the cause of problem the solution obvious chanch of good life ,but if your commited drinker it must be hard if he doesnt slow drinking down he will die ,liver is strong but can only take so much fegards Dez

[Millie09 in reply to AyrshireK]

Great post Kate ! Having lived with Cirrosis myself since 2008 ( alcohol related ) I have often wondered about all these so called scores . I had my last LFT in December at my doctors and I asked him to work out my meld score . He said I didn't need to know ? But I had to push him last November to refer me to a hepetologist as I have never seen one , was discharged from hospital two years ago . Since then I have had no scans or anything other than the odd blood test every so often . I now have my appointment on 28 February at liver unit QE hospital Birmingham . I am hoping to find out so much more as to the condition of the liver and my outcome . Best wishes Linda 😊

[Dldtx]

I have same diagnoses (left side ) but my Cirrhosis is from Hepatitis C so I had to take the medications for 12 weeks which worked but the damage is done to the liver so the 4 to 14yrs is based on stopping the cause of the damage and not damage the liver any further.I learned real quick about the need to eat right & no alcohol, I went to a dietitian and developed a good diet it is easy to follow, as far as alcohol I don't drink. Good luck