Chronic
liver disease is an on-going loss of liver structure and functions that lasts
for at least six months. About 1.5 billion population suffered with this
devastating disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the
treatment outcome and associated factors in patients with chronic liver disease
at Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia. A retrospective cross sectional study was
conducted in both governmental and private hospitals of Bahir Dar city from
January to August 2024. All patients with liver disease for at least six months
and treated for their specific causes and/or complications were included.
Descriptive statistics was employed to explain socio-demographic and relevant
clinical characteristics. Binary logistic regression was employed to determine
associated factors with poor treatment outcome. Texts, tables and charts used
to present statistically and/or clinically significant results. A p-value of
< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 213 medical
records of chronic liver disease patients were reviewed. Most of the study
participants (72.8%) were male and resided in rural area (63.8%). Viral
hepatitis was the most frequent (60.0%) etiology followed by parasitic (23.0%)
and alcohol misuse (11.5%). The percentage of patients with chronic liver
disease who experienced poor treatment outcomes was 39.0% and 54.2% were not
taking medications specifically tailored to their condition. Stages of chronic
liver disease (AOR = 2.68; 95%CI: 1.50–4.76, p = 0.001), carcinoma status
(AOR = 2.68; 95%CI: 1.07–6.68, p = 0.035) and treatment duration (AOR = 0.38;
95%CI: 0.15–0.98, p = 0.045) were independent predictors for poor treatment
outcome. The overall treatment outcome of chronic liver disease in our study
was inadequate. Decompensated stages of cirrhosis, cellular carcinoma and
shorter treatment duration were significant factors of treatment failure. Timely
initiation of appropriate therapy is warranted to improve the treatment outcome
of chronic liver disease patients.
