TITLE:
Interest of Serum-Ascites Albumin Concentration Gradient in the Diagnosis of Portal Hypertension in Cirrhotic Patients
AUTHORS:
Laté Mawuli Lawson-Ananissoh, Aklesso Bagny, Oumboma Bouglouga, Ismael Mahaman Salissou Ganbobo, Rafiou El-Hadji Yakoubou, Lidawu Kogoe, Laconi Kaaga, Datouda Redah
KEYWORDS:
Esophageal Varices, Serum-Ascit Albumin Gradient, Cirrhosis, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.9 No.1,
January
18,
2019
ABSTRACT: Objective: To find a more accessible and less restrictive mean such as serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) to predict esophageal varices (EV) in cirrhotics with ascit. Patients and methods: Descriptive and analytical studies based on the retrospective collection of data on 125 patients’ records in the hepatogastroenterology unit of the University Hospital Campus of Lome (Togo) from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2018 were included. Cirrhotic patients aged 15 years and older had performed cytochemical analysis of ascites fluid and upper gastrointestinal fibroscopy and had a protidogram. Statistical analysis was done by R Studio Software 3.4.2. Results: The mean age was 48.70 years; there was a male predominance (70.40%) with a sex ratio of 2.38. Protein levels in ascitic fluid was Conclusion: Our study noted that at an upper threshold of 1.10 g/dl, the SAAG significantly predicted the presence of EV.