Impacts of rifaximin and midodrine on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: Vasodilatation and bacterial dislocation are the main contributors to the catastrophic events in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC).

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of adding midodrine and rifaximin on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in patients with DLC.

Methods: This interventional clinical study included 100 consecutively enrolled DLC patients randomized 1 : 1 into two groups. Group A received oral midodrine (5 mg/8 h) and rifaximin (550 mg/12 h) with standard diuretic therapy, while group B received only standard diuretic therapy. Clinical and laboratory data, including the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire, were evaluated over a 3-month treatment period.

Results: In the study group, there was a significant reduction in Child-Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores, international normalized ratio, and mean arterial blood pressure at 2, 6, and 12 weeks (P < 0.05). Ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis incidence, hematemesis, paracentesis need, and hepatic encephalopathy showed improvement after 12 weeks compared with the control group. McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire significantly improved after 6 and 12 weeks (P < 0.05). Survival rates demonstrated a noteworthy improvement (P = 0.014), substantiated by evidence in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Conclusion: Combined midodrine with rifaximin represents an endowment to patients with DLC with spectacular improvements in synthetic liver functions, along with improved quality of life, and survival.