Patients' knowledge assessment regarding factors aggravating esophageal variceal bleeding at a university hospital in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Portal hypertension and consequent variceal hemorrhage is one of the most devastating complications of chronic liver disease and is the most common Cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with cirrhosis. Aggravating factors assessment has become an integral part in management of those patients to overcome their misconceptions. Aim: Assess patients' knowledge about factors aggravating esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB). Research question: What is the patients' knowledge about factors aggravating EVB? Research design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized to answer the research question. Sample: A convenient sample of 110 adult male and female patients with esophageal varices receiving esophageal ligation and/or injection, admitted to Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit and all medical departments at one hospital affiliated to Cairo University were recruited in the study. Tools: Two tools were designed and used by the researcher to collect data relevant to the study; first tool is structured questionnaire regarding demographic and illness-related data sheet, and the second one is patients' knowledge assessment questionnaire of EVB aggravating factors Results: The study results revealed that (61.8%) of the study subjects' age ranged from 40 < 60 years old, (65.5%) of the study subjects were males, (79.1%) of them had lack of knowledge regarding different factors aggravating EVB, the most common one was high risk related nutrition followed by high risk related medications then other factors represent (76.4%, 68.2% & 66.4%) respectively. Conclusion: Diet and medications are acknowledged as the most important factors aggravating esophageal variceal bleeding among study subjects. Recommendation: A written instruction about prohibited and allowed drugs, nutrition, and allowed physical activities for patients with esophageal varices is recommended.

Key words: Assessment, esophageal variceal bleeding, aggravating factors.