Suresh Moothezhathu Kesavadas
BACKGROUND
Liver plays an important role in normal erythropoiesis and synthesis of clotting factors. Chronic liver disease (CLD) patients are frequently associated with abnormalities in haematological parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was an observational study conducted among diagnosed CLD patients over a period of 1 year from 2013 to 2014. Various haematological abnormalities in 75 CLD patients were studied. Relevant details were obtained in structured format.
RESULTS
The mean age of the study group 49.2 years. Male-to-female ratio was 5.8:1. Aetiologies of cirrhosis were alcoholism (61.3%), diabetes mellitus (26.7%) and dyslipidaemia (13%). 88% patients were anaemic with severe anaemia (Hb <8 gm%) observed in 33.3% patients with mean Hb being 8.76 gm%. Mean Hb in alcohol-related CLDs were lower than CLDs due to other aetiologies (8.62 gm% vs. 9.36 gm%). Most common anaemia observed was normocytic normochromic anaemia (40.9%). 26.7% had leucopenia and 88% had thrombocytopenia. Normal ferritin levels were observed in 6.7%, decreased in 16% and increased in the remaining cases of which a level of more than 900 ng/mL was observed in 18.7% cases. Mean CTP (Child-Turcotte-Pugh) score of the study group was 11.1. 80% of patients belong to child C. Patients with high ferritin levels had high CTP score (P-0.001). Platelet count decreases as CTP score increases (P-0.000) and as spleen size increases (P-0.001).
CONCLUSION
Most common haematological abnormalities observed were thrombocytopenia and anaemia. Severe anaemia was seen in males and alcoholics. Thrombocytopenia was more in those with advanced liver disease and large spleen. High serum ferritin level correlate well with advanced liver disease.
