Serum transaminases and platelet count as predictive factors of fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

ABSTRACT

Chronic hepatitis C is a major health problem in Egypt. Definite diagnosis of cirrhosis depends on liver biopsy. However liver biopsy had a number of limitation including, it is an invasive technique with some complications, sometimes negative results occurred and occasionally contraindicated. The aim of this work is to evaluate serum transaminases and platelets counts as non invasive, easy and simple parameters for determining the degree and stage of cirrhosis in chronic HCV infection and to applicate these parameters as a predictor of cirrhosis. This study was done on 38 patients selected as chronic hepatitis C [26 males and 12 females] aged between 19 and 49 years. All patients underwent Full medical history, thorough clinical examination, CBC, complete liver function tests including prothrombin time and concentration, HBsAg, HCV Ab screening, HCV RNA [by PCR] abdominal U/S and finally liver biopsy to determine the degree and stage of cirrhosis. There was statistically significant negative correlation as regard WBCs, platelet, RBCs count and haemoglobin concentration with progression of cirrhosis. As regard liver function tests, there was a statistically positive significant correlation regarding ALT, AST and prothrombin time, while there was statistically significant negative correlation regarding serum albumin. However, HCV RNA [PCR] had no significant correlation with the degree and stage of cirrhosis. Also, steaosis was highly statistically significant in detection of degree and stage of cirrhosis. It can be concluded that, platelet count, serum transaminases, serum albumin and prothrombin time are non invasive valid parameters for prediction of cirrhosis in chronic HCV patients and can replace liver biopsies in many cases