Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio to predict esophageal varices in Mexican patients with hepatic cirrhosis

AIM:To validate whether the platelet count/spleen size ratio can be used to predict the presence of esophageal varices in Mexican patients with hepatic cirrhosis.METHODS:This was an analytical cross-sectional study to validate the diagnostic test for hepatic cirrhosis and was performed between February 2010 and December 2011.Patients with a diagnosis of hepatic cirrhosis were included and stratified using their ChildPugh score.Biochemical parameters were evaluated,and ultrasound was used to measure the longest diameter of the spleen.The platelet count/spleen diameter ratio was calculated and analyzed to determine whether it can predict the presence of esophageal varices.Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was used as the gold standard.Sensitivity and specificity,positive and negative predictive values,and positive and negative likelihood ratios were determined,with the cutoff points determined by receiver-operating characteristic curves.RESULTS:A total of 91 patients were included.The mean age was 53.75±12 years;50(54.9%)were men,and 41(45.0%)women.The etiology of cirrhosis included alcohol in 48(52.7%),virally induced in24(26.3%),alcoholism plus hepatitis C virus in three(3.2%),cryptogenic in nine(9.8%),and primary biliary cirrhosis in seven(7.6%).Esophageal varices were present in 73(80.2%)patients.Child-Pugh classification,17(18.6%)patients were classified as class A,37(40.6%)as class B,and 37(40.6%)as class C.The platelet count/spleen diameter ratio to detect esophageal varices independent of the grade showed using a cutoff value of≤884.3,had 84%sensitivity,70%specificity,and positive and negative predictive values of 94%and 40%,respectively.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio may be a useful tool for detecting esophageal varices in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.     

Platelet count/bipolar spleen diameter ratio for the prediction of esophageal varices: The special Egyptian situation: Noninvasive prediction of esophageal varices

Background

Esophageal variceal hemorrhage is a devastating complication of portal hypertension that occurs in approximately one-third of cirrhotic patients.

Objectives

We assessed the value of the platelet count/ bipolar spleen diameter ratio as a noninvasive parameter for the prediction of esophageal varices (EVs) in Egyptian cirrhotic patients.

Patients and Methods

Laboratory and ultrasonographic and imaging variables were prospectively evaluated in 175 patients with liver cirrhosis. All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients with active gastrointestinal bleeding at the time of admission were excluded.

Results

The platelet count/ bipolar spleen diameter ratio in patients with EVs was significantly lower than in patients without EVs. In an analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs), we calculated an optimal cutoff value of 939.7 for this ratio, which gave 100% sensitivity and negative predictive values, 86.3% specificity, a 95.6% positive predictive value, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.94 ± 0.02, reflecting its overall diagnostic accuracy. These findings were extended to a subset analysis of compensated cirrhotic patients.

Conclusions

The platelet count/ bipolar spleen diameter ratio has excellent accuracy in the noninvasive assessment of EVs in patients with compensated or decompensated liver cirrhosis. It is easy to calculate and can lower the financial and sanitary burdens of endoscopy units, especially in developing countries.     

Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for non-invasive prediction of high risk esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

Background and objective. Prophylaxis therapy is indicated in cirrhotic patients with large esophageal varices or small varices with red wale signs (high risk esophageal varices; HREV). Endoscopic surveillance to detect HREV is currently recommended. The objective of this study is to identify non-invasive predictors of HREV in cirrhotic patients.Design and methods. Adult cirrhotic patients without previous variceal bleeding were prospectively included. All patients underwent a complete biochemical workup, upper digestive endoscopy, and ultrasonographic measurement of spleen bipolar diameter. Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio (PC/SD) was calculated for all patients. The association of these variables with the presence of HREV in upper endoscopy was tested using univariate and multivariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for variables associated with HREV.Results. Sixty-seven patients were included. The prevalence rate of HREV was 50%. Age, gender (female), platelet count, spleen diameter, PC/ SD ratio, total bilirrubin, prothrombin activity (INR), Child-Pugh score, clinical and ultrasonographic ascites were significantly associated with presence of HREV in univariate analysis. Age and PC/SD ratio were the parameters independently associated with HREV in a multivariate analysis, with OR 8.81 (CI 95%: 1.7-44.9) and OR 11.21 (CI 95%: 2.8-44.6) respectively. A PC/SD ratio cut-off value under 830.8 predicted HREV with 76.9% sensitivity, 74.2% specificity and 77.8% negative predictive value (ROC curve area: 0.78).Conclusions. The PC/SD ratio was significantly associated with HREV, but with suboptimal sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the results of this study do not support the routine clinical use of PC/SD ratio for screening of HREV.     

Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for the noninvasive diagnosis of esophageal varices: results of a multicenter, prospective, validation study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Noninvasive assessment of esophageal varices (EV) may improve the management of patients with cirrhosis and decrease both the medical and financial burden related to screening. In this multicenter, international study, our aim was to prospectively validate the use of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for the noninvasive diagnosis of EV. METHODS: A total of 218 cirrhotic patients underwent screening endoscopy for EV. Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio ((N/mm3)/mm) was assessed in all patients and its diagnostic accuracy was calculated. On the basis of previous results, a platelet count/spleen diameter ratio cutoff of 909 was applied to this population. The diagnostic accuracy of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio was further evaluated for both severity and etiology of disease subgroups. RESULTS: Prevalence of EV was 54.1%. The platelet count/spleen diameter ratio had 86.0% (95% CI, 80.7-90.4%) diagnostic accuracy for EV, which was significantly greater as compared with either accuracy of platelet count alone (83.6%, 95% CI 78.0-88.3%, P= 0.038) or spleen diameter alone (80.2%, 95% CI 74.3-85.3%, P= 0.018). The 909 cutoff had 91.5% sensitivity (95% CI 85.0-95.9%), 67.0% specificity (95% CI 56.9-76.1%), 76.6% positive predictive value, 87.0% negative predictive value, 2.77 positive likelihood ratio, and 0.13 negative likelihood ratio for the diagnosis of EV. Accuracy of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio was maintained for both severity and etiology of disease subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The platelet count/spleen diameter ratio may be proposed as a safe and reproducible means to improve the management of cirrhotic patients who should undergo screening endoscopy for EV.     

血小板计数/脾脏长径比值预测食管胃静脉曲张的临床研究

目的本研究回顾性分析血小板计数与脾脏长径及二者的比值对食管胃静脉曲张及其严重程度的预测作用.方法收集2003年及2004年收住我院的肝硬化患者及非肝硬化共76例,肝硬化56例,其中13例经上消化道钡餐检查诊断为食管胃静脉曲张,43例入院时同时行胃镜直视和腹部超声检查,并除外已行内镜下曲张静脉硬化剂或皮圈结扎治疗者及其它能影响血小板数量和脾脏大小的疾病,重度食管静脉曲张者20例(46.5%),轻中度曲张者12例(27.9%),无静脉曲张者¨例(25.6%),非肝硬化共20例为对照.记录外周血小板计数、B超下脾脏最长径及门静脉宽度、胆红素、白蛋白等各项指标,并按Child-Pugh分级法对患者进行评分,相关数据进行统计分析.结果43例经胃镜检查的肝硬化中,脾脏长径及血小板数/脾长径比值与有无食管静脉曲张及其严重程度有显著相关性(P分别为0.016和0.039),100%的重度食管静脉曲张患者比值＜909;血小板计数与有无食管静脉曲张及其严重程度无显著相关性(P=0.076);血小板计数、脾脏长径及二者的比值与有无胃静脉曲张均无显著相关性(P分别为0.389、0.523和0.677).56例肝硬化中,Child-Pugh分级与血小板计数值、脾脏长径及血小板数/脾脏长径比值之间在统计学上无显著相关性(P分别为0.139、0.105和0.104).结论血小板计数/脾脏长径比值作为非侵入性方法可有效判断有无重度食管静脉曲张的存在.     

血小板/脾双径评估乙型肝炎肝硬化肝癌患者食管静脉曲张的研究

目的评估无创指标血小板/脾双径(PSR)预测乙型肝炎肝硬化肝癌患者食管静脉曲张的性能。方法回顾性分析上海东方肝胆外科医院255例肝癌术后患者的临床、腹部超声、内镜及病理资料,并计算PSR和天冬氨酸转氨酶/血小板比值(APRI)。结果胃镜检查发现,255例患者中129例(50.6%)有食管静脉曲张。多因素分析显示,血小板降低、脾肿大是食管静脉曲张出现的独立危险因素。通过受试者工作特征曲线下面积比较发现,PSR具有最好的诊断精确性(PSR:0.86,APRI:0.79,脾脏长径:0.77,血小板计数:0.75)。在临界值为931.0时,PSR对食管静脉曲张预测的敏感度为81.3%,特异度为80.1%,诊断精确度为80.8%。结论 PSR是预测乙型肝炎肝硬化肝癌患者有无静脉曲张的一个简单、无创、诊断精确性高的指标。     

Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio: proposal and validation of a non-invasive parameter to predict the presence of oesophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cirrhotic patients frequently undergo screening endoscopy for the presence of oesophageal varices (OV). In the future, this social and medical burden will increase due to the greater number of patients with chronic liver disease and their improved survival. In this study, our aims were (1) to identify clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic parameters which might non-invasively predict the presence of OV in patients with liver cirrhosis; (2) to evaluate the reproducibility of the obtained results in a different, although related, further group of patients; and (3) to assess the predictiveness of the identified rules in patients with compensated cirrhosis. METHODS: In the first part of the study we retrospectively evaluated the presence of OV in 145 cirrhotic patients, and in the second part we evaluated the reproducibility of the study results in a subsequent group of 121 patients. Finally, we evaluated these parameters in a subgroup of 145 patients with compensated disease. All 266 patients underwent a complete biochemical workup, upper digestive endoscopy, and ultrasonographic measurement of spleen bipolar diameter. Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio was calculated for all patients. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of OV were 61% and 58% in the first and second groups of patients, respectively. In the first part of the study, we found that platelet count, spleen diameter, platelet count/spleen diameter ratio, and Child- Pugh class were significantly different among patients with or without OV, although the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio was the only parameter which was independently associated with the presence of OV in a multivariate analysis. A platelet count/spleen diameter ratio cut off value of 909 had 100% negative predictive value for a diagnosis of OV. This result was reproduced in the second group of patients as well as in patients with compensated disease. In a cost-benefit analysis, screening cirrhotic patients according to the "platelet count/spleen diameter ratio strategy" was far more cost effective compared with the "scope all strategy". CONCLUSIONS: The platelet count/spleen diameter ratio is the only parameter which is independently associated with the presence of OV, and its negative predictive value is reproducible. Its use is of value even in the subgroup of patients with compensated disease, and it is also cost effective.     

血小板、血小板数与脾大小之比及白蛋白和肝硬化食管静脉曲张程度的关系

目的 研究不同程度食管静脉曲张(EV)患者门静脉主干、脾静脉直径、脾大小、白蛋白及周围血象的变化,探讨这些指标能否作为无创性判断中、重度EV的参考指标.方法 167例肝硬化患者行胃镜检查,其中确诊存在不同程度食管静脉曲张者127例(轻度41例,中度38例,重度48例),无曲张(NEV)者40例.严重EV定义为镜下显示中度或莺度食管静脉曲张.所有患者采用BIOSOUND AU4型彩色双功多普勒超声诊断仪测量门静脉和脾静脉直径、脾长度、厚度、腹水等,常规方法检测白蛋白和周围血象.比较无曲张者与有曲张者之间,不同程度食管静脉曲张患者之间上述指标的差异,以及这些指标对中重度EV的评估.结果 EV组患者的平均年龄、门静脉、脾静脉、脾长、脾厚、脾大小均大于NEV组,而白蛋白、血小板数量、血小板数/脾大小之比均小于NEV组.中度曲张组及重度曲张组分别与NEV组及轻度EV组比较,除年龄外,上述各项指标均有统计学差异.以重度EV患者上述各指标的均值作为截止值比较不同指标值各种程度EV患者的比例,重度EV组与其他患者各门脉高压指标差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),多因素分析结果,与中、重度EV相关的指标为血小板(＜70×109/L)、血小板数/脾大小之比(＜1.0)及白蛋白水平(＜35 g/L).结论 肝硬化患者食管静脉曲张程度与门脉高压程度相平行.如出现血小板(＜70×109/L)、血小板数/脾大小之比(＜1.0)及白蛋白水平(＜35 g/L),考虑存在中、重度食管静脉曲张,有必要进行内镜检查确诊.     

血小板计数与脾脏上下径比值预测原发性胆汁性胆管炎患者并发食管胃静脉曲张效能研究

目的 探讨预测原发性胆汁性胆管炎(PBC)患者并发食管胃静脉曲张(GOV)的非侵入性指标,以减少不必要的胃十二指肠内镜(EGD)筛查。方法 2016年1月～2020年12月我院住院的PBC患者67例,均接受了EGD和超声检查,其中32例接受肝活检,33例接受了肝脏硬度检测(LSM)。计算血小板(PLT)计数/脾脏上下径比值(PSR)。应用ROC曲线判断指标的预测效能。结果 在67例PBC患者中,发现存在GOV者27例(轻度7例,中度7例,重度13例),无GOV者40例;在32例接受肝组织学检查者中,9例S_3～4与23例S_1～2患者并发GOV者均为3例(Fisher确切概率法,P=0.203);在33例接受了LSM检查者中,以LSM>20 kPa为截断点,其预测发生GOV的灵敏度、特异度和准确度分别为100.0%、54.2%和66.7%;多因素Logistic分析提示PSR是PBC患者并发GOV的独立危险因素;以PSR<0.734×10⁹/L/mm为截断点,其预测并发GOV的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.93...     

血小板计数预测重度食管静脉曲张的临床意义

目的探讨血小板计数（PC）在预测重度食管静脉曲张（EV）中的意义。方法记录80例肝硬化患者的胃镜结果、PC1,1个月后复查胃镜及PC2。根据胃镜所见EV程度分为重度组和非重度组,对复诊前后PC变化及EV程度进行分析。结果 80例患者中5例因发生上消化道出血而退出观察、3例1个月后未复诊,72例完成该研究。重度组与非重度组PC差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。1个月内EV程度无明显变化者PC差异亦无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。1个月内由非重度EV发展为重度EV者复诊前后PC差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论 PC可作为预测重度EV的指标,短期内PC明显下降可作为预测EV程度加重的指标。     

Application of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio to rule out the presence of oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis: A validation study based on follow-up

BACKGROUND: Screening for oesophageal varices represents an important part of the diagnostic work-up of cirrhotic patients. We have previously shown that the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio is a parameter that can rule out the presence of oesophageal varices safely and in a cost-effective fashion. AIM: To evaluate the prognostic and diagnostic accuracy of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for ruling out the presence of oesophageal varices in the follow-up of a cohort of cirrhotic patients without oesophageal varices at inclusion. METHODS: After initial endoscopy, the 106 cirrhotic patients without oesophageal varices who participated in our previous study were followed-up with annual or biannual surveillance endoscopy. Patients were censored at the time of diagnosis of oesophageal varices or at their last visit, and at that time platelet count and spleen diameter were recorded. Sixty-eight patients made up the study cohort after excluding patients who were lost to follow-up or died before undergoing control endoscopy. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 27 patients (40%) developed oesophageal varices. Patients with higher baseline platelet count/spleen diameter ratios (p<0.0001) as well as a ratio above 909 were less likely to develop oesophageal varices (p<0.0005). At follow-up, a platelet count/spleen diameter ratio < or = 909 had 100% negative predictive value and 84% efficiency in identifying the presence of oesophageal varices. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio proved to be an effective means for ruling out the presence of oesophageal varices even in the longitudinal follow-up of patients.     

Platelet count combined with right liver volume and spleen volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging for identifying cirrhosis and esophageal varices

AIM: To determine whether the combination of platelet count(PLT) with spleen volume parameters and right liver volume(RV) measured by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) could predict the Child-Pugh class of liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices(EV).METHODS: Two hundred and five cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B and 40 healthy volunteers underwent abdominal triphasic-enhancement MRI and laboratory examination of PLT in 109/L. Cirrhotic patients underwent endoscopy for detecting EV. Spleen maximal width(W), thickness(T) and length(L) in mm together with spleen volume(SV) and RV in mm3 were measured by MRI, and spleen volume index(SI) in mm3 was obtained by W × T × L. SV/PLT, SI/PLT and RV × PLT/SV(RVPS) were calculated and statistically analyzed to assess cirrhosis and EV.RESULTS: SV/PLT(r = 0.676) and SI/PLT(r = 0.707) increased, and PLT(r =-0.626) and RVPS(r =-0.802) decreased with the progress of Child-Pugh class(P 0.001 for all). All parameters could determine the presence of cirrhosis, distinguish between each class of Child-Pugh class, and identify the presence of EV [the areas under the curve(AUCs) = 0.661-0.973]. A m o n g p a ra m e t e r s, R V P S c o u l d b e s t d e t e r m i n e presence and each class of cirrhosis with AUCs of 0.973 and 0.740-0.853, respectively; and SV/PLT could best identify EV with an AUC of 0.782.CONCLUSION: The combination of PLT with SV and RV could predict Child-Pugh class of liver cirrhosis and identify the presence of esophageal varices.