A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON PLATELET COUNT/ SPLENIC DIAMETER RATIO AS NON INVASIVE PREDICTORS OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies the presence of liver cirrhosis, and the development of esophageal varices is one of the major complications of portal hypertension. The development of esophageal varices is the most serious consequence of portal hypertension due to the risk of rupture and variceal hemorrhage. All patients in the study were evaluated with detailed history and full clinical prole. They underwent hematological and biochemical tests, like liver function tests, complete blood counts, renal function tests, prothrombin time, Ultrasonography of the abdomen to conrm the presence of cirrhosis and to record the spleen bipolar diameter, portal vein size and ascites. Upper GI endoscopy was done in all patients to conrm the presence of varices and also to grade them accordingly. The ROC curve was applied to determine the cut-off values with the best sensitivities and specicities for all the three variables. A cut-off value of 1014 was obtained for platelet count to spleen diameter ratio, which gave a sensitivity of 84.31% and a specicity of 75.00 %.