Severity of Cirrhosis
Liver disease is often referred to as compensated or decompensated liver disease to indicate severity.
Compensated cirrhosis means that the liver is heavily scarred but can still perform many important bodily functions. Many people with compensated cirrhosis experience few or no symptoms and can live for many years without serious complications.
Decompensated cirrhosis is defined by the development of jaundice, ascites, variceal hemorrhage, or hepatic encephalopathy. Survival is poor in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, and they should be considered for liver transplantation.
Child-Pugh Classification of Severity of Liver Disease
Modified Child-Pugh classification of severity of liver disease according to the degree of ascites, the plasma concentrations of bilirubin and albumin, the prothrombin time, and the degree of encephalopathy. Data from Day 4 was used.
A total score of 5-6 is considered grade A (well-compensated disease); 7-9 is grade B (significant functional compromise); and 10-15 is grade C (descompensated disease). These grades correlate with one- and two-year patient survival.
Another Calculator used by Physicians to Determine Severity of Disease is called the Model For End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)
MELD stands for Model of End Stage Liver disease. It is a number value that indicates the severity of your liver disease. The value ranges from 6 to 40. The closer you are to 40, the more likely you are to die if you do not get a transplant. Here is the result of the calculator using Ava's data. She is near the low end of the MELD score - 17. This would not be considered decompensated since there is still liver function left.
.png)
| Parameter | Ava's results | Points assigned | ||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Ascites | Absent | Slight | Moderate | |
| Bilirubin, mg/dL | 1.6 | 2-3 | >3 | |
| Albumin, g/dL | 2.8 | >3.5 | 2.8-3.5 | <2.8 |
| Prothrombin time * Seconds over control * INR |
1.3 | 1-3 <1.8 |
4-6 1.8-2.3 |
>6 >2.3 |
| Encephalopathy | None | Grade 1-2 | Grade 3-4 | |
A total score of 5-6 is considered grade A (well-compensated disease); 7-9 is grade B (significant functional compromise); and 10-15 is grade C (descompensated disease). These grades correlate with one- and two-year patient survival.
| Grade | Points | One-year patient survival (%) | Two-year patient survival (%) |
| A: well-compensated disease | 5-6 | 100 | 85 |
| B: significant functional compromise | 7-9 | 80 | 60 |
| C: descompensated disease | 10-15 | 45 | 35 |
Another Calculator used by Physicians to Determine Severity of Disease is called the Model For End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)
MELD stands for Model of End Stage Liver disease. It is a number value that indicates the severity of your liver disease. The value ranges from 6 to 40. The closer you are to 40, the more likely you are to die if you do not get a transplant. Here is the result of the calculator using Ava's data. She is near the low end of the MELD score - 17. This would not be considered decompensated since there is still liver function left.
Updated August 15, 2024