Utility of MELD Score as Prognostic Indicator in Patients of Liver Cirrhosis and its Correlation with Child-Pugh Score

Introduction: The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)score is a useful tool to assess prognosis in critically illcirrhotic patients. Therefore present study’s aim is to evaluateprognostic value of MELD score in patients with cirrhosis andto find out the correlation of MELD score with Child-PughScore.Material and Methods: Present study was carried out ina large public hospital in Mumbai from October 2003 toNovember 2004 on liver cirrhosis patients. Seventy sixpatients of cirrhosis of liver who had attended gastroenterologyoutpatient department of the hospital were included in thestudy. Thirty age and sex matched healthy controls wereincluded in the study. MELD score was calculated at Mayoclinic calculator site.Results: Mean age of cases of cirrhosis was 46.97 + 12.96years with range of 15-74 years. There was no significantdifference in the age or sex distribution of cases in the survivalor expired category (p>0.05). Our study showed significantdifference in mortality between the three Child Pugh grades(p<0.05). Present study showed significant correlationbetween MELD score and Child-Pugh Score. Mean MELDscore was significantly more in expired cases (22.0+7.74)than in survived cases (14.87+6.42) during six monthlyfollow up period (p<0.05).Cases with MELD scores ≥30 hadsignificantly high mortality rate.Conclusion: Therefore MELD score can be used as significantshort term prognostic factor in patients with cirrhosis.