Study to evaluate the haematological profile of patients with chronic liver disease

The liver plays an important role in homeostasis. Chronic liver diseases (CLDs), including cirrhosis, hepatic failure, jaundice, and portal hypertension, may affect hemopoiesis. The abnormalities in red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelet functions in patients with CLD are well-documented. It is thus important to detect and manage these abnormalities to reduce the overall morbidity and mortality of patients with CLD.

The study was conducted to assess the hematological abnormalities and hemostatic derangements and the nature of hematological abnormalities to reduce morbidity. Broadly, the hematological abnormalities are viewed under abnormalities in RBCs, WBCs, platelets, and the coagulation profile.

This was a prospective study conducted for 2 years at the Department of General Medicine, Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka. A total of 150 patients with CLD were included and analyzed for hematological dysfunction.

Severe anemia (<6g/dL) was noted in 9.33% of the cases; 22% of the cases had 6.1 to 8 g/dL Hb (hemoglobin) levels; 38% cases showed Hb of 8.1 to 10 g/dL; and >10 g/dL HB was noted in 45% cases. The majority showed normocytic normochromic anemia on peripheral smear examination, i.e., 56%. Macrocytic anemia was noted in 25.3% of cases. Microcytic hypochromic anemia was found in 38% of the cases. Only 4.67% showed dimorphic anemia. Besides, 66.6% of cases had a WBC count of 4000-11000/cumm, 26.6% had 2000-4000/cumm, 6.67% had < 2000/cumm, and 59% cases had >1 .0 lakh /cumm. In 66.67% of cases,1 lakh – 50000 (mild thrombocytopenia) was noted in 25.3% of cases. Moreover, 6.6% had moderate thrombocytopenia, and 1.3% < 20000 /cumm (severe thrombocytopenia).

This study demonstrated that all the patients presented with signs of CLD must be thoroughly evaluated for their complete blood profile to detect hematological abnormalities and should be monitored for any complications. Early initiation of treatment can decrease the overall mortality in these patients.