Frequent detection of functional hyposplenism via assessment of pitted erythrocytes in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asplenia or functional hyposplenism are risk factors for severe infections, and vaccinations against encapsulated bacteria are advised. There are only limited data regarding the spleen function of cirrhotic patients.

Methods

We evaluated spleen function in patients with liver cirrhosis, who were prospectively enrolled in this study. Spleen function was evaluated by the measurement of pitted erythrocytes. Functional hyposplenism was defined as a percentage of PE of >15%.

Results

117 patients, mean age 58.4 years and 61.5% (n = 72) male with liver cirrhosis were included. Functional hyposplenism was diagnosed in 28/117 patients (23.9%). Pitted erythrocytes correlated with albumin (p = 0.024), bilirubin (p<0.001), international normalized ratio (INR; p = 0.004

SUBMITTER: Wehmeyer MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9292104 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature