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.
