Diagnostic accuracy of serum albumin for diagnosis of esophageal varices in patients of chronic liver disease

Abstract

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of serum albumin for detection of esophageal varices (EVs) in patients of chronic liver disease (CLD) taking Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)as a gold standard.
Methodology: The cross sectional study was accomplished at the department of gastroenterology, Isra University Hospital Hyderabad in collaboration with department of Gastroenterology, AIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, during six months from February 2017 to July 2017. All the Patients of age 20-60 years of either gender presenting with CLD were included. Blood samples from each patient submitted to laboratory to assess serum albumin level. Serum albumin level <3.4 g/dl was assessed as positive. Then patients were referred to department of gastroenterology for EGD. The data recording process was carried out by a proforma.

Results: mean age of the patients was 53.63±14.61 years with male to female ratio was 2.3:1. Esophageal varices on serum albumin were found positive in 39 (41.1%) cases and EGD was found positive in 38.95% cases. The sensitivity of esophageal varices on serum albumin was 81.08% with specificity of 84.48%. The PPV value was 76.92%, NPV value was 87.5% and diagnostic accuracy of esophageal varices on serum albumin was 83.16% taking esophageal varices on EGD as gold standard.
Conclusion: Serum albumin is a useful forecaster of esophageal varices among patients of chronic hepatic disorder with 81.08% sensitivity and of 84.48% specificity.