title: Use of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for the noninvasive diagnosis of esophageal varices in patients with schistosomiasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In patients with liver cirrhosis, the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio has been validated as a parameter for the noninvasive diagnosis of esophageal varices. Schistosoma infection is a frequent cause of portal hypertension in Middle Eastern countries, and is associated with the development of esophageal varices. In this study we aimed to evaluate the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio as a noninvasive tool for the prediction of the presence of esophageal varices in patients with schistosoma-related chronic liver disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis underwent upper digestive endoscopy to check for the presence of esophageal varices. Furthermore, all patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography, and maximum spleen diameter (in mm) was measured. The platelet count/spleen diameter ratio was calculated in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Esophageal varices were found in 31 patients (72%). Age and gender were not significantly different between patients with and without varices. In patients with varices, median platelet count (82,000/μL versus 172,000/μL, P < 0.0001) and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio (571 versus 1651, P < 0.0001) were significantly lower, while spleen diameter (147 mm versus 109 mm, P = 0.0006) was significantly larger. In multivariate analysis, the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio was the only parameter independently associated with the presence of varices (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study we have validated the use of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for the noninvasive diagnosis of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension caused by schistosoma infection. In these patients, the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio might be used to allow better rationalization of medical resources and use of endoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, King Fahad Hospital, Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region, Khamis Mushyt, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agha
authors.forename: Mamdouh M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abdulhadi
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marenco
authors.forename: Abdelhaleem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bella
authors.forename: Dib
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alsaudi
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Haddad
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inferrera
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Savarino
authors.forename: Edoardo G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Giannini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013154:Spleen / Q000648:ultrastructure*