Platelet counts to spleen diameter ratio:A promising noninvasive tool for predicting esophageal varices in cirrhosis patients

BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of progressive liver fibrosis as a consequence of chronic liver inflammation,wherein the standard hepatic architecture is replaced by regenerative hepatic nodules,which eventually lead to liver failure.Cirrhosis without any symptoms is referred to as compensated cirrhosis.Complications such as ascites,variceal bleeding,and hepatic encephalopathy indicate the onset of decompensated cirrhosis.Gastroesophageal varices are the hallmark of clini-cally significant portal hypertension.AIM To determine the accuracy of the platelet count-to-spleen diameter(PC/SD)ratio to evaluate esophageal varices(EV)in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS This retrospective observational study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specia-lized Hospital and Adera Medical Center from January 1,2019,to December 30,2023.Data were collected via chart review and direct patient interviews using structured questionnaires.The data were exported to the SPSS software version 26 for analysis and clearance.A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted for splenic diameter,platelet count,and PC/SD ratio to obtain sensitivity,speci-ficity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,positive likelihood ratio,and negative likelihood ratio.RESULTS Of the 140 participants,67%were men.Hepatitis B(38%)was the most common cause of cirrhosis,followed by cryptogenic cirrhosis(28%)and hepatitis C(16%).Approximately 83.6%of the participants had endoscopic evidence of EV,whereas 51.1%had gastric varices.Decompensated cirrhosis and PC were associated with the presence of EV with adjusted odds ratios of 12.63(95%CI:3.16-67.58,P=0.001)and 0.14(95%CI:0.037-0.52,P=0.004),respectively.A PC/SD ratio<1119 had a sensitivity of 86.32%and specificity of 70%with area under the curve of 0.835(95%CI:0.736-0.934,P<0.001).CONCLUSION A PC/SD ratio<1119 predicts EV in patients with cirrhosis.It is a valuable,noninvasive tool for EV risk assess-ment in resource-limited settings.

Declining eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori with standard triple therapy in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia

BACKGROUND Standard triple therapy is an effective treatment for eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection,but it is encountered with drug resistance.The stool antigen test is a cost-effective and easy-to-perform test to confirm the eradication of H.pylori,4-8 weeks post-therapy,with 86%sensitivity and 92%specificity.AIM To assess the H.pylori eradication rate of standard triple therapy and factors affecting the eradication rate.METHODS We conducted a prospective,multicenter follow-up study in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia,at selected healthcare facilities among dyspeptic patients with positive stool H.pylori antigen tests from June 1,2023 to October 30,2023 to assess the H.pylori eradication rate.After completing the standard triple therapy,the eradication was confirmed using a stool antigen test 4 weeks later.The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression methods.RESULTS The H.pylori eradication rate was 85.4%.Patients with a previous diagnosis of H.pylori infection,smokers,and local alcohol consumption were associated with a lower H.pylori eradication rate,with adjusted odds ratio(AORs)of 0.159[95%confidence interval(CI):0.050-0.511],0.206(95%CI:0.052-0.822),and 0.228(95%CI:0.052-0.997),respectively.Patients with complete symptom resolution were 5.383 times more likely to achieve eradication than patients without symptom improvement,AOR=5.383,95%CI:1.74-21.089.CONCLUSION H.pylori eradication rate was lower than expected.Post-treatment testing is crucial to confirm eradication and guide further management,such as susceptibility testing.