Background The characteristics and prevalence of Budd-Chiari syndrome in China remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of Budd-Chiari syndrome in Chinese patients in the Hubei area. Methods One-hundred and thirty patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome, admitted to Union Hospital from January 2002 to January 2011, were included in this retrospective study. Clinical features, laboratory data, imaging characteristics, and cumulative patency rates were analyzed. Results Of the 130 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome, 77 were men (59.2%) and 53 women (40.8%). Budd-Chiari syndrome was more commonly associated with inferior vena cava block (56.9%, 74/130) than hepatic vein block (19.2%, 25/130) and combined inferior vena cava/hepatic vein block (23.9%, 31/130). The clinical features of Budd-Chiari syndrome varied based on the location of the obstruction. The incidence of bilirubin abnormality, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyl peptide transferase levels was common in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome. Liver injury was more severe in cases with combined inferior vena cava/hepatic vein block than in the other two types of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Color Doppler ultrasound imaging was better for the diagnosis of hepatic vein obstruction, while computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were superior in diagnosing inferior vena cava obstruction. The cumulative 1-, 5-, and 10-year patency rates were 97%, 69%, and 59%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that liver cirrhosis was an independent risk factor of recurrence. Conclusion The most prevalent type of Budd-Chiari syndrome is inferior vena cava obstruction in Chinese patients in the Hubei area. Different types of Budd-Chiari syndrome have diverse clinical and biochemical features, which may assist clinicians in diagnosing Budd-Chiari syndrome. Liver cirrhosis was found as an independent risk factor of recurrence.
Keywords: Budd–Chiari syndrome; Chinese; Hubei area; clinical features; types.