Role of non-invasive markers in prediction of esophageal varices and variceal bleeding in patients of alcoholic liver cirrhosis from central India.

Background/aims: Alcohol is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis, which results in portal hypertension and subsequently, culminates into esophageal varices and esophgeal variceal bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is gold standard for diagnosis of varices. Non-invasive markers based on clinical, laboratory - ultrasonographic parameters can be utilised for prediction of risk of esophageal varices - variceal bleed in alcoholic cirrhosis from central India.

Utility of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as an Auxiliary Vascular Parameter of Structural Alteration in Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic relapsing-remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The chronic inflammatory process may predispose to atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to assess the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and its relation to subclinical atherosclerosis and to follow up cardiovascular complications in patients with UC.

Handgrip dynamometry: a surrogate marker of malnutrition to predict the prognosis in alcoholic liver disease.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the utility of handgrip dynamometry (HGD) in predicting short term mortality and complications in alcoholic liver disease.

Methods: Patients with alcoholic liver disease were included and nutritional assessment was done using the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), HGD and other conventional parameters. Mortality rates and complications were compared to nutritional status.