Association of Progression of Pulmonary Fibrosis with Severity of Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: It has been found that frequency of pulmonary fibrosis increases in patients with
cirrhosis of liver. We hypothesized that as the stage of cirrhosis advances, the frequency of
pulmonary fibrosis should increase. We used child's pugh classification to stage the cirrhosis of
liver.
Material & Methods: Fifty five patients of age range 16 to 80 years, both males and females
having established cirrhosis of liver on ultrasonography, regardless of etiology, visiting the
outpatient and inpatient department for treatment were selected. Patients were divided into three
groups according to child's criteria i.e group A, group B, and group C. HRCT of chest was
performed on patients in all three groups to look for pulmonary fibrosis.
Results: 27 (49%) patients were found to have pulmonary fibrosis on HRCT. The frequency of
pulmonary fibrosis in different groups of child's classification was also assessed and it was found
that class C and class B, are affected more than A.
Conclusion: Pulmonary fibrosis progresses with severity of liver cirrhosis