Thrombocytopenia predicts oesophageal varices in chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and C virus

Objectives: To evaluate thrombocytopenia as a marker to predict Oesophageal Varices (OV) in chronic liver disease due to Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV). Material and Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, patients with chronic liver disease were assessed as per Child-Pugh class. All patients had full blood count, peripheral smear, HBsAg, Anti-HCV antibodies by ELISA and Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD). Patients were divided into two groups based on low platelet count (Group A) and normal platelet count (Group B). Results: One hundred and ninety seven patients [97 male (49.2%), 100 female (50.8%)] with age range of 15 to 80 years were evaluated. Platelet count was in the range of 30000/mm³ to 484000/mm³. OV were present in 63 patients (32%) and absent in 134 patients (68%). Group A (platelet count </=150000/mm³) had 57 patients (28.9% of the total) with 51 having OV. Group B had 140 patients (71.1% of the total) with 12 patients having OV. Sensitivity of thrombocytopenia to predict OV was 80.95% and specificity was 95.5%. Positive predictive value was 89.47% and negative predictive value was 91.43%. The odds ratio was 90.67. Spearman's rank correlation showed a significant negative correlation of '-0.709' between platelet count and OV. ROC curve showed 91.1% area under curve. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia strongly predicts OV in chronic liver disease due to HBV and HCV.