ABSTRACT
This study was conducted on 35 patients with established chronic liver diseases due to hepatitis C. Their ages ranged from 20 to 60 years. A full clinical assessment, ultrasound, complete blond picture including platelet number and functions, liver function tests [SGOT, SGPT, serum albumin, serum bilirubin and prothrombin time and concentration] were applied for every patient. Hepatitis markers for B and C and PCR for HCV and, lastly, liver biopsy were also detected. They were classified into three groups [according to their platelet number]: Group I [12 patients] with platelet count 151-350,000/mm3, group II [13 patients] with platelet count 80-140,000/mm3, and group III [10 patients] with platelet count 25-79,000/mm3. The three groups were statistically compared regarding platelet number, platelet aggregation, liver function tests, histopathological study and correlation between platelet number and aggregation. The results revealed a direct correlation between liver span and platelet number and platelet aggregation. Inverse correlations were noticed between spleen size and portal vein diameter and platelet count and aggregation. Direct correlations were present between platelet number, aggregation and liver function tests [prothrombin time, SGPT, S. Bilirubin, OT/PT ratio and albumin], but there was no correlation with SGOT