Background: The end stage of chronic liver disease (ESCLD), cirrhosis, causes nodule formation, fibrous tissue production, and disruption of the liver's architecture. Ascites, portal vein dilatation, splenomegaly, the formation of oesophageal and gastric varices, variceal hemorrhage, ascites, hypersplenism, and encephalopathy are among the complications that arise from cirrhosis, which impairs liver function and causes portal hypertension.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the use of non-invasive fibrosis markers and ultrasonographic parameters in predicting oesophageal variceal (EV) bleeding.
Subjects and methods: This Prospective cohort study was conducted at Internal Medicine Department, Ain Shams hospitals and lasted for 3 months. This study included 86 patients diagnosed with EV attending to Internal Medicine clinics.
Result: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score and AST/ALT. There was significant increase in EV with bleeding group than EV without bleeding regarding aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), FIB-4, and spleen diameter, while there was significant decrease in EV with bleeding group than EV without bleeding regarding platelet count splenic diameter ratio (PC/SD), and PLT.
Conclusion: The present study concluded that platelets counts, FIB-4 Index and APRI score appear to be promising markers in the prediction of EV bleeding. They can be used as screening method to predict EVB and appropriate referral to higher centers. Measuring platelets counts, FIB-4 Index and APRI score is simple, reliable, objective, and cost effective. Nevertheless, before these indicators are routinely used in clinical practice, more extensive research is required.