Liver cirrhosis; frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia in patients

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis. Cross sectional study. 01-03-2013 to 31-08- 2013. Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. The cirrhotic patients were assessed for thrombocytopenia and its severity. The data was analyzed in SPSS version 11.00 and frequency and percentage was computed. The chi-square test was applied and p -value patients were evaluated for thrombocytopenia, 70% males and 30% females. The mean +/- SD for age in cirrhotic subjects was 41.16+/-14.24 whereas the mean +/-SD for age in male and female cirrhotic patients was 42.81+/-10.96 and 40.63+/-9.85. The thrombocytopenia was detected in 68%, of which 43[63.2%] were males and 25[36.8%] were females. Mean+/-SD for platelet in all subjects was 130.85+/-8.33 whereas it was 68.82+/-6.52 in thrombocytopenic cirrhotic patients. Mean+/-SD platelet count in male and female thrombocytopenic patients was 70.94+/-7.42 and 64.72+/-5.84. Out of sixty eight thrombocytopenic cirrhotic subjects 23 had mild thrombocytopenia, 25 had moderate thrombocytopenia and 20 had severe thrombocytopenia while in relation to Child-Pugh class B [p<0.01] predominant. Regarding the duration of the liver cirrhosis, the thrombocytopenia was predominant in patients between 6-12 months. The common presenting feature observed in relation to gender were malaise 21%, fatigue 17, nausea / vomiting 14% and combine feature in 21 cirrhotic patients [p=0.04]. The thrombocytopenia was detected in patients with liver cirrhosis, therefore frequent platelet assessment is one of the most important step to monitor platelet count and reduce severe and life threatening episodes of bleeding