Frequency of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Patients with Cirrhosis of Liver

Abstract

Background: Cirrhosis of liver and pulmonary fibrosis both are chronic inflammatory disorders.
Mediators of chronic inflammation include both cytokines and interleukins. The mediators
produced during process of fibrosis in liver reach pulmonary circulation which comes first during
the pathway; so these mediators should lead to fibrosis in lungs as well.
Material and Methods: 55 patients of age range 16 to 80 year, both males and females having
established cirrhosis of liver on ultrasonography, regardless of etiology, visiting the outpatient and
inpatient departments for treatment of liver disease were selected. High Resolution
Computerized Tomography (HRCT) Scan of chest was performed on each patient to look for
pulmonary fibrosis.
Results: Out of 55 patients 27 (49%) were found to have pulmonary fibrosis on HRCT.
Conclusion: Cirrhosis of liver is associated with pulmonary fibrosis in up to 50% of the patients.