Comparisons of ultrasonography and liver function tests in the detection of liver cirrhosis due to viral hepatitis B or C
Journal
Chinese Journal of Gastroenterology
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
2
Pages
15-23
Date Issued
1995
Author(s)
Abstract
Complications are major causes of death in cirrhotic patients. Because cirrhotic patients are often asymptomatic before complications occur, it is important to detect the development of cirrhosis in victims of chronic viral hepatitis. To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography (US), serum GOT/GPT ratio and serum globulin level in the detection of liver cirrhosis, 80 patients with cirrhosis induced by either hepatitis B virus (LC-B, N = 50) or hepatitis C virus (LC-C, N = 30) were studied. Nodular surface, coarse echotexture and irregularly narrowed hepatic veins were the three diagnostic criteria of US. The cut-off values (mean + 2 S.D. of data in patients with chronic active hepatitis) of serum GOT/GPT ratio and globulin level in the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis were 0.94 and 3.8 gm/dl respectively for LC-B and 1.25 and 4.7 gm/dl respectively for LC-C. The sensitivity of US, serum GOT/GPT ratio and globulin level in the detection of liver cirrhosis was 88%, 74% and 28% respectively for LC-B and 70%, 33% and 3.3% respectively for LC-C. The difference in the sensitivity of the two biochemical tests between LC-B and LC-C patients was statistically significant; however, that of US was not significant. Of the 23 cirrhotic patients whose liver function tests were within normal limits, 20 could be detected with US. We conclude that US is much better in the detection of liver cirrhosis than serum GOT/GPT ratio as well as globulin level in both groups of cirrhotic patients even though the cirrhotic patients are in well-compensated Child A status. Serum GOT/GPT ratio is also fair in disclosing liver cirrhosis for patients of LC-B.
Subjects
liver cirrhosis; liver function test; ultrasonography; viral hepatitis
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; article; chronic hepatitis; comparative study; controlled study; diagnostic value; echography; female; hepatitis b; hepatitis c; human; liver cirrhosis; liver function test; major clinical study; male
Type
journal article