CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Objectives: Objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency of pancytopeniain patients with viral chronic liver disease. Study Design: Descriptive case series study. Setting:All patients enrolled from OPD and admitted patients having a chronic liver disease either dueto HBV or HCV at Dow university hospital, Chiniot General Hospital and Zubaida MedicalCenter Karachi. Period: One year starting from January 2016 to December 2016. Methods: Allpatients regardless of age and gender with chronic liver disease due to Hepatitis B or HepatitisC were included. Patient’s age, duration of illness and previous treatments were recorded alongwith physical examination. Other investigations included complete blood count (CBC) andultrasound abdomen. Patients with history of alcohol intake, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, orany procedure like sclerotherapy or band ligation, currently taking interferon therapy / historyof receiving interferon in the past six months or hepatoma on abdominal ultrasound wereexcluded. Results: Among 224 patients. Male to female ratio was 3.9:1. Mean age was foundto be 40.2+3.21. Majority of individuals were between ages 36-45 years. The minimum age was25 years whereas the maximum age was 65 years. Pancytopenia was found in 28.57 % patients.Conclusion: We have concluded that pancytopenia is common in patients with chronic liverdisease. Early management can prevent deteriorating outcomes.