LIVER CIRRHOSIS

FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PATIENTS

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia in
patients with liver cirrhosis. Study Deisgn: Cross sectional study. Period: 01-03-2013 to 31-08-
2013. Setting: Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. Methods: 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
≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Total one hundred 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). Conclusions: 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.