The main outcome of this study was clinically confirmed ESLD (also referred to as decompensated liver disease). ESLD was defined by the presence of a definitive diagnosis of cirrhosis and a definitive diagnosis of a hepatic decompensation event (ascites, hepatorenal syndrome [HRS], spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP], hepatic encephalopathy [HE), or gastric/esophageal variceal bleeding) in the medical record.
Cirrhosis was confirmed if a patient had a: a) liver biopsy demonstrating cirrhosis, b) radiographic imaging study (abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) reporting cirrhosis, or c) physician’s note documenting cirrhosis based on one of the two prior criteria.(5 (link))
Definitions for hepatic decompensation events were based on guidelines published by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).(6 (link)) Confirmation of an event required physical exam (ascites, encephalopathy), imaging (ascites), or endoscopic (variceal bleeding) findings confirming a decompensation event, or documentation of an event by a treating physician within the medical record. Patients were required to have had a decompensation event within 365 days of receiving an ICD-9-CM code for that event.
Medical records were reviewed by a hepatologist (D.G.) to confirm outcomes. Chart review also determined if patients would be potential liver transplant candidates based on AASLD criteria.(7 (link))
Cirrhosis was confirmed if a patient had a: a) liver biopsy demonstrating cirrhosis, b) radiographic imaging study (abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) reporting cirrhosis, or c) physician’s note documenting cirrhosis based on one of the two prior criteria.(5 (link))
Definitions for hepatic decompensation events were based on guidelines published by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).(6 (link)) Confirmation of an event required physical exam (ascites, encephalopathy), imaging (ascites), or endoscopic (variceal bleeding) findings confirming a decompensation event, or documentation of an event by a treating physician within the medical record. Patients were required to have had a decompensation event within 365 days of receiving an ICD-9-CM code for that event.
Medical records were reviewed by a hepatologist (D.G.) to confirm outcomes. Chart review also determined if patients would be potential liver transplant candidates based on AASLD criteria.(7 (link))
