Non-Endoscopic Predictors of Esophageal Varices and Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy in Patients with Cirrhosis of Liver: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital Of South Odisha

Abstract

Background: Esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy are common complications of cirrhosis of the liver. Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, but it is invasive, expensive, and not widely available. Non-endoscopic predictors, such as platelet count, spleen size, and platelet spleen ratio, may be useful alternatives.
Objective: To evaluate and assess the non-invasive parameters in predicting oesophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at MKCG Medical College and Hospital,Berhampur,Odisha, India. Fifty patients with cirrhosis of the liver were enrolled and underwent endoscopy to assess the grade of varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy.
Platelet count, spleen bipolar diameter, and platelet spleen ratio were measured and compared among different grades of varices.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 50.4 years, and 86% were males. Alcohol was the most common etiology of cirrhosis (78%). The prevalence of esophageal varices was 88%, and portal hypertensive gastropathy was 64%. No significant association was found between platelet count, spleen bipolar diameter, and platelet spleen ratio with the grade of varices (p>0.05). Age, gender, presence of encephalopathy, and ascites were also not significantly associated with the grade of varices (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Non-endoscopic predictors, such as platelet count, spleen size, and platelet spleen ratio, were not reliable indicators of the presence and severity of esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Endoscopy remains the preferred method for diagnosis and management of these complications