Background: Esophageal varices (OVs) are common side effects of liver cirrhosis that can be life-threatening. Esophago-gastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the gold standard for detecting OVs. In spite of this, it is intrusive and expensive.
Objective: The aim of the current work was to evaluate albumin-Bilirubin Score (ALBI), AST/ALT ratio, aspartate to platelet count ratio index (APRI), Child-Pugh Score, albumin-bilirubin grade, platelets (ALBI-PLT score) and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio as noninvasive laboratory markers for prediction of OVs in cirrhotic patients.
Patients and Methods: Two hundred and sixty patients with liver cirrhosis were screened for OVs.
CBC, liver and kidney profiles and abdominal ultrasonography were done, ALBI, ALBI-PLT score, AST/ALT ratio, APRI, a Child-Pugh Score and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio were measured for all patients. Also, EGDs were performed by one professional endoscopist for all patients.
Results: ALBI, ALBI-PLT, Platelet count/spleen diameter ratio and Child-Pugh Score were reliable indicators of esophageal varices. The best one was ALBI-PLT where at cut-off >2, may predict OVs with sensitivity 96.48 and specificity 87.76 (P< 0.001). Using ALBI at a cutoff >-2.6. may predict OVs with sensitivity of 83.77% and specificity of 53.26% (P = 0.001). Also, these noninvasive markers could help in detecting OV's size (P