CORRELATION BETWEEN SERUM ASCITES ALBUMIN GRADIENT (SAAG) AND ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN PATIENTS HAVING CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the correlation between level of serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) grading of esophageal varices (EV), in patients having chronic liver disease.

Study Design: Prospective, observational and a cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Medical Unit III, Sandeman Provincial Hospital Quetta, form Oct 2015 to Apr 2016.

Material and Methods: Patients with diagnosis of cirrhosis were enrolled. Detailed history, physical examination and biochemical measurements were recorded. Patients underwent upper GI endoscopy for grading of esophageal varices.

Results: Eighty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this study. There were 56 (70%) males and 24 (30%) females. The mean ± standard deviation age of study population was 44.86 ± 12.319 years. On analysis of age group it was observed that 40 (50%) patients were less than 40 years of age, 73 (91.25%) patients had SAAG value above 1.1 mg/dl. On analysis of correlation of SAAG with the grade of varices, a strong
association was observed (r=0.631).

Conclusion: An association, in the patients having ascites, between the level of SAAG and the development of esophageal varices is present. Patients having a high SAAG were found with more commonly present Esophageal varices thus establishing a high probability of finding EV in patients with higher values SAAG.