Clinical study of ascites with special reference to Serum-Ascitic Albumin Gradient.

ABSTRACT

Background: The Serum – Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG) defined as serum albumin concentration minus ascitic fluid albumin concentration. SAAG has been proposed a physiologically based alternative criterion in the classification of ascites. Aims & Objective: The present study was designed to differentiate ascites based on serum/ascites albumin gradient and comparing transudate and exudate concept using biochemical parameters. The study also designed to know various aetiologies of ascites. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was done among 60 patients with ascites in Kasturba Medical College Mangalore from September 2006 to September 2008. Ascitic fluid and blood samples were sent for various investigations depending on the presentation of the patient to hospital. Results: In our study Cirrhosis of liver was the most common cause of ascites (78%) followed by Tubercular peritonitis (8%) and alcohol was the commonest cause for cirrhosis of liver (85%) followed by Hepatitis B virus infection. Cirrhosis of liver showed high SAAG compared with tubercular peritonitis and malignant ascites which showed low SAAG. Among High SAAG patients 96% had portal hypertension. Transudative ascites observed in 72.5% of cirrhosis patients whereas tubercular peritonitis showed exudative type in60% of cases. Conclusion: Cirrhosis liver was the most common cause of Ascites and alcohol was the commonest cause for cirrhosis. SAAG is superior to transudate exudate concept in differentiating the causes of ascites. High SAAG indicates presence of portal hypertension and low SAAG indicates absence of portal hypertension.