Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Cirrhosis, a chronic liver condition characterized by fibrosis and impaired liver function, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A major complication of cirrhosis is the development of esophageal varices due to portal hypertension, which significantly increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Traditional diagnostic methods for esophageal varices, like endoscopy, are invasive. Therefore, there is a growing need for non‐invasive, cost‐effective screening tools, such as the platelet count‐splenic diameter (PC‐SD) ratio, to predict the presence of esophageal varices. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the platelet count‐splenic diameter ratio as a non‐invasive predictor for esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients, thereby improving the early detection and management of this complication. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to June 2024 at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College, Puducherry. The study included 94 cirrhotic patients who underwent screening endoscopy for esophageal varices. Data collection involved medical history, clinical examination, laboratory tests, endoscopy and ultrasonography. The PC‐SD ratio was calculated and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with Fisher's exact test to determine the significance of associations. The study found that 66% of participants had esophageal varices. The presence of varices was significantly associated with a spleen diameter greater than 150 mm (p=0.0001), platelet counts of #125,000/μL (p=0.0001) and a PC‐SD ratio of #909 (p=0.0001). These findings suggest that the PC‐SD ratio is a reliable non‐invasive marker for predicting esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients. The PC‐SD ratio is a valuable, non‐invasive tool for predicting esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis. It can potentially reduce the need for invasive procedures like endoscopy, improving patient compliance and reducing healthcare burdens. This study reinforces the need for ongoing research to refine non‐invasive screening methods for cirrhosis‐related complications.
How to cite this article:
Mandadapu Sai Krishna, K. Jayasingh and S. Shankar. A Study on Platelet Count‐Splenic Diameter Ratio as a Non‐Invasive Predictor of Esophageal Varices in Cirrhosis.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.118.124
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.118.124