A study on platelet count/ spleen diameter ratio and AST/ALT ratio as a marker for detection of esophageal varices in Cirrhosis

Author(s): Dr. RNK Sankar1, Dr. V. Shakthivel2, Dr. Rashmi3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Government T D Medical College, Alappuzha.
2Professor & HOD Medicine, Vinayaka Mission Medical College, Karaikal.
3Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Government T D Medical College, Alappuzha.
Copyright © Dr. RNK Sankar, Dr. V. Shakthivel, Dr. Rashmi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Introduction: Esophageal varices are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with liver cirhhosis. Esophageal varices can be screened with invasive procedures like esophageal endoscopy which might not be affordable to all in developing countries. This study aimed to find the diagnostic efficacy of some non-invasive markers for detection of esophageal varices in people with cirrhosis.
Objective: To assess the feasibility of platelet count/ spleen diameter (PLC/BPD) ratio and Aspartate transaminase / Alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio as a non-invasive marker for esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis.
Materials and method: Platelet count/ bipolar spleen diameter (PLC/BPD) ratio and Aspartate transaminase / Alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio were analysed in hundred patients with cirrhosis admitted in the Medicine Ward of Vinayaka Mission’s Medical College and Hospital, Karaikal . The values obtained were co-related to presence or absence of esophageal varices on upper GI endoscopy in these patients.
Results: A statistically significant correlation between platelet count/ bipolar spleen diameter (PLC/BPD) ratio and Aspartate transaminase / Alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio and esophgeal varices was found in our study group.

Keywords: Non-invasive marker; Esophageal varices; Cirrhosis.