More than half of the patients with cirrhosis would involve with ascites during the disease. If left untreated, 11.4% of patients with cirrhotic ascites may progress to develop hepatorenal syndrome during 5 years. Common complications of ascites include spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), dilutional hyponatremia, and hepatorenal syndrome. Prognosis is generally poor, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with cirrhotic ascites is approximately 56.6%.

Ascites may contribute to three grades:^[1]

• Grade 1: Mild accumulation of fluid in abdomen, which is only visible on ultrasound.
• Grade 2: Moderate accumulation of fluid in abdomen, which is detectable with flank bulging and shifting dullness.
• Grade 3: Severe accumulation of fluid in abdomen, which is directly visible with fluid thrill.

• More than half of the patients with cirrhosis would involve with ascites during the disease.
• The symptoms of refractory ascites typically develop in 11.3% of patients during 5 years of cirrhosis.
• If left untreated, 37.1% of patients with cirrhotic ascites may progress to develop dilutional hyponatremia during 5 years.
• If left untreated, 11.4% of patients with cirrhotic ascites may progress to develop hepatorenal syndrome during 5 years.^[2]

• Common complications of ascites include:^[3]
  • Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
  • Dilutional hyponatremia
  • Hepatorenal syndrome
  • Weight loss and protein malnutrition
  • Hepatic encephalopathy

• Prognosis is generally poor, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with cirrhotic ascites is approximately 56.6%.
• The presence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), dilutional hyponatremia, and hepatorenal syndrome is associated with a particularly poor prognosis among patients with cirrhotic ascites.^[2]