Comparison of role of serum- ascites albumin gradient and ascitic fluid total protein in liver cirrhosis patients

Objective

To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of serum/ ascites albumin gradient and ascitic fluid total protein in liver cirrhosis patients, using ultrasosnography as gold standard. Study Design: Validation Study. Place and duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi and Department of Radiology CMH/ MH Rawalpindi from 15 Jul 2007 to 15 May 2008. Material and Method: Seventy three patients of liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the study by non- probability convenience sampling. Liver cirrhosis was confirmed on ultrasound abdomen. Ascitic fluid and 3 ml of blood were obtained simultaneously for analysis of serum albumin, ascitic fluid albumin & total proteins. Sensitivity of serum ascitic albumen gradient (SAAG) and serum ascitic fluid total protein (AFTP) was calculated by comparing with liver ultrasonographic findings (gold standard).