title: Non-endoscopic prediction of presence of esophageal varices in cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify hematological, biochemical and ultrasonographic predictors of esophageal varices in patients of cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Gastroenterology, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, from September 2003 to March 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and one patients with established cirrhosis and no history of variceal bleed underwent physical examination, hematological, biochemical tests and abdominal ultrasound examination. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was carried out in all patients. Presence of varices on EGD was correlated with hematological, biochemical and ultrasonographic variables by regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Esophageal varices were seen in 65 patients while 36 patients had no varices. High grade varices were seen in 15 patients and 50 patients had low grade varices. Serum albumin less than 2.95 g/dl, platelet count less than 88 x 103/muL and portal vein diameter more than 11 mm were associated with presence of varices. High grade varices were predicted by serum albumin < 2.95 g/dl and portal vein diameter more than 11 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with serum albumin < 2.95 g/dl, platelet count < 88 x 103/muL and portal vein diameter > 11 mm are more likely to have high grade varices. These patients are candidates for surveillance endoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan. nawalshahid@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarwar
authors.forename: Anwaar A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Altaf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Arshad Kamal
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Farzana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shafqat
authors.forename: Kashif
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Aamir Khan
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Niazi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin