Hematological abnormalities in chronic liver disease and their association with severity and types of chronic liver disease

This study aimed to assess the hematological abnormalities in CLD patients and to study the association of hematological abnormalities with type and severity of CLD. This study was conducted as a facility based cross-sectional study at tertiary care centre on confirmed cases of chronic liver disease. Detailed clinical history along with clinical examination findings were recorded. All patients were then subjected to investigations. Mean age of patients with CLD was 48.8±16.9 years and majority of patients were males (76%). Anemia was observed in 71% cases with CLD whereas leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were noted in 21% and 56% cases respectively. Mean MCV, MCH, serum bilirubin and iron were significantly higher in cases with alcoholic liver disease whereas TIBC was significantly lower in ALD cases as compared to NALD cases (p<0.05). Mean hemoglobin, platelet levels, MCV, albumin and iron levels were significantly lower in cases with severe liver disease (Child Pugh Class C). However, serum bilirubin, prothrombin time and TIBC levels increased significantly with increase in severity of CLD (p<0.05). Hematological abnormalities particularly normocytic normochromic anemia and thrombocytopenia are common in cases with CLD, which might affect the prognosis of patients with CLD. Assessing the severity and type of anaemia is a useful tool for early initiation of the treatment in patients of CLD for reducing the morbidity and mortality. Early detection and treatment of haematological changes can prevent complications and reduce the mortality in CLD patients.