Publication:

A study of clinical profile of patients presenting with abnormalities detected by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Background Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) continues to be a cause of disability and death throughout the world. According to two recent studies from the United States, 50-67% of the adult population drinks alcohol. The objective of the study was to study the upper gastrointestinal endoscopic abnormalities of patients with alcoholic Liver Disease.

Methods We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study to study the upper gastrointestinal endoscopic abnormalities in patients with alcoholic liver disease. A total of 97 patients, who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria have been enrolled into our study.

Results On upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 94.73% cirrhotic patients were found to have esophageal varices (P<0.001), 23.68% cirrhotic patients were found to have esophagogastroduodenal PHG (P = 0.04) and 15.78 % cirrhotic patients were found to have GAVE. None of the patients with USG findings of fatty liver / acute hepatitis had the above endoscopic abnormalities.

Conclusions Most significant clinical association’s esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy. Early detection and management of the above conditions may be helpful in lowering the disease burden and its morbidity.