Esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis is a major complication increasing its morbidity and mortality. Prevalence of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis range from 60-80 %. Patients with cirrhosis should be screened for varices with esophageal endoscopy. Endoscopy is an invasive procedure and also may not be affordable for ordinary people in developing countries. This study aims to find out diagnostic efficacy of non invasive marker for detecting esophageal varices.

Materials and Methods: It is a Diagnostic test evaluation study of 1 year duration conducted in 140 cirrhotic patients admitted on Medicine and Gastroenterology ward in a tertiary care centre. Data collected and analysed using SPSS. ROC curve was drawn with different cut offs for Platelet count/Spleen thickness and AST/ALT ratio.

Result: PLC/ BPD ratio have sensitivity 74 % and specificity 88% which is statistically significant with a p value <.001. This ratio have a cut off value 919 with area under ROC curve 0.908 which denotes a good test. AST/ALT ratio have sensitivity 74% specificity 82 % which is statistically significant with a p value < .001 and the ratio have a cut off value 1.30 with area under ROC curve 0.794

Conclusion: Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio and AST/ALT ratio may be used as non invasive marker for esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

Keywords: Esophageal varices, Endoscopy, Cirrhosis, Platelet count, spleen diameter, AST, ALT.

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Suresh Raghavan

Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine,

Government Medical College, Alappuzha

Mobile: 9847155537. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.