Risk factors and severity of acute liver injury in non-chronic liver disease and chronic liver disease patients

Objectives To study factors related to acute liver injury and compare the severity and risk of those factors in patients with and without chronic liver disease. Methods This cross-sectional study of 323 patients admitted to Somdejphrajaotaksin Maharaj Hospital between 1 January and 30 September 2019, analyzing data collected on the clinical background, signs and symptoms, and laboratory results of those patients. Results Of the 323 patients in the study, 188 did not have chronic liver disease (58.2%) and 135 had chronic liver disease (41.8%). Risk factors for acute liver injury in the chronic liver disease group included bacterial infection (33.3%) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (4.4%), much significantly higher than the rates in the no chronic disease group. However, the risk factors excessive consumption of alcohol (30.3%) and dengue infection (11.2%) in the no chronic liver disease group were significantly higher than in the chronic disease group. Both groups had a high incidence of disease severity as well as a high incidence of complications and mortality, although the mortality rate was higher in the chronic liver disease group (15.0% vs. 6.9%). Conclusions The types and frequencies of risk factors for acute liver injury in patients with chronic liver disease and those with no chronic liver disease groups are different. The incidence of bacterial infection and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is higher in patients with chronic liver disease. The incidence of excessive alcohol consumption and dengue infection is much higher in patients without chronic liver disease. Both groups have high levels of disease severity, complications and mortality. Sepsis is the major cause of mortality, especially in patients with chronic liver disease.