title: Predictors of variceal bleeding: an analysis of clinical, endoscopic, and haemodynamic variables, with special reference to intravariceal pressure.
abstract: To assist in the prediction of variceal bleeding we examined 12 clinical, endoscopic and haemodynamic variables in 126 patients with portal hypertension (72 bleeders and 54 non-bleeders). Multiple regression and discriminant analysis were utilised for 101 patients. Stepwise regression among the 12 variables explained only 54% of the variability existing between bleeders and non-bleeders. Six of the 12 variables accounted for 51% of the total bleeder/non-bleeder variability. A predicting equation was evolved [Yp = -0.60 + 0.19 X1 (colour of varices) + 0.16 X2 (cherry red spots) + 0.03 X3 (red wale, markings) + 0.01 X4 (haematocystic spots) + 0.15 X5 (Conn's grading of variceal size) + 0.03 X6 (intravariceal pressure)]. Of the six variables used, variceal size indicated 35%, and intravariceal pressure accounted for 12%, of the explained variability between bleeders and non-bleeders. The presence of the three red colour signs and the colour of the varices accounted for only 3% and 1% respectively of the total explained variation. Using the discriminant function analysis, we were able to correctly identify 85% of the bleeders and 81% of the non-bleeders. Additional studies are required to detect the variables responsible for the unexplained variability (46%) between bleeders and non-bleeders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, G B Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sarin
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Sundaram
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ahuja
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications; D007223:Infant; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D012044:Regression Analysis