TITLE:
Correlation of Platelet Count with Grading of Esophageal Varices in Cirrhotic Patients
AUTHORS:
Panha Uong, Vithiarithy Chey, Keoseyla Unn, Neang Nov, Khounthai Kang, Seiha Un, Kimyi Kaing, Viseth Khuon, Tharuom Ny, Panha Mon, Sovannvireak Kann, Dimanche Chhit, Sokchay Um, Kimpav Chhay, Syphanna Sou
KEYWORDS:
Liver Cirrhosis, Portal Hypertension, Esophageal Varices, Thrombocytopenia, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
12,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background/Aims: Cirrhosis represents a late stage of progressive hepatic fibrosis and is generally considered to be irreversible in its advanced stages. Esophageal varix is a complication of liver cirrhosis and is the consequence of portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the severity of thrombocytopenia and the presenting of esophageal varices (EVs) in cirrhotic patient. Patients and Methods: This study was a retrospective, descriptive, analytic and monocentric study, which was carried out at Gastroenterology Department, Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was conducted from 1st September 2020 to 31st January 2021. All patients were diagnosed as liver cirrhosis by clinic, biology and ultrasound. Patients’ data were noted in standardized questionnaire with information such as age, sex, address, laboratory result, and the result of endoscopic finding. All data were registered into a data set and then analyzed by SPSS program version 23. Results: 1445 patients were enrolled for gastroscopy. Only 303 patients (21%) were suggested for variceal screening after the exclusions. Male was predominant with sex ratio F/M (1/2.03). Patients’ age varied between 21 and 80 years old, with the mean age of 55 ± 11 years old. 199 patients (66%) were found with EVs, while EVs grade 1 and 2 without red signs were predominated, accounting to 22.8% and 19.5% respectively. The majority of the patients with platelet count between 50 - 99 giga/l had EVs vs platelet count > 150 giga/l had no EVs (p Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is a non-invasive parameter with high accuracy for the prediction of EVs in cirrhosis. The severity of thrombocytopenia increased as the grading of EVs increased. Thus, it can assist in triaging cirrhotic patients for endoscopy to identify EVs.