Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of thrombocytopenia in chronic liver disease due
to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Patients and methods: In this prospective study, patients with chronic liver disease
(CLD) due to HCV were assessed using Child-Pugh class. All had full blood count,
peripheral smear, Anti-HCV antibodies, abdominal ultrasound and esophago-gastroduodenoscopy.
Results: Total number of patients were 155 [69 male (44.5%), 86 female (55.5%)]. Mean
age was 43.58 years. Fifty patients (32.3%) had thrombocytopenia (platelet count
<150,000/mm3). After excluding patients with esophageal varices (45 patients, 29.03% of
the total), the frequency of thrombocytopenia was 4.76%. Gender had no effect, however,
thrombocytopenia was more common (26.5%) in older age group (>40 years) as
compared to age <40 years (5.8%).
Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is a common and important finding in CLD due to HCV.
Patients presenting with lone thrombocytopenia should be screened for HCV, especially
in endemic areas or where blood and blood products are not properly screened (Rawal
Med J 2009;34:72-74)
Key words: Thrombocytopenia, chronic liver disease, HCV
