The epidemiology of cirrhosis, a public health concern, is not well understood in Iran. This study aimed to assess the characteristics, etiologies, complications, and outcomes of patients with cirrhosis who were enrolled in the Cirrhosis registry in Shiraz, Iran.

Of the eligible cirrhotic patients referred to Shahid Motahhari clinic in Shiraz, 2,937 were registered in our database from 2009 to 2016 and 683 from 2017 to 2022. We recorded the patients' demographic, clinical, and laboratory data at baseline and every six months. Mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation also were considered as outcomes and assessed every six months. We reported the baseline data and the outcomes up to 2022 in the present study.

The mean age of patients included in the first period was 47.4 years (standard deviation: 21.5), while for those registered in the second period was 54.8 years (standard deviation: 14.1). The levels of biochemical factors and the prevalence of most complications were superior in the second period compared to the first. Ascites was the most common complication during the first period (52.1%), whereas esophageal varices were the most prevalent during the second period (40.1%). This study highlights that hepatitis B and C were frequent conditions among cirrhotic patients, particularly among men. Patients who were registered in the initial period exhibited higher mortality and liver transplantation rates in comparison to those registered in the subsequent period.

The findings indicate that patients registered in the second period had better laboratory and clinical features. Among the included cirrhotic patients, viral hepatitis B and C were identified as the most frequent etiologies.