Saatea Arif, Taufeeq Ahmed Mufti, Anjum Zia, Sattar Khan, Jamilur Rehman.
Serum sialic acid and fibrinogen in complicated and uncomplicated cirrhosis.
J Med Sci Jan ;14(1):66-70.

Background: Cirrhosis liver is now becoming a very common problem in our community due to rapidly spreading hepatitis B and C infections. However early diagnosis carries good prognosis and prevents complications. Estimation of serum sialic acid and fibrinogen level may be helpful in following the dynamics of the disease especially during treatment. Research Methodolgy: Serum sialic acid and fibrinogen levels of 82 confirmed liver cirrhosis cases 18-60 years of age, admitted in Khyber Teaching Hospital were determined and compared with same number of age and sex matched controls. Sialic acid was determined on HPLC and Fibrinogen by kit method using Fibriprest- 2 provided by diagnostic stago. Results: Significantly high levels of serum sialic acid were recorded in the patients of liver cirrhosis as compared to controls. It was normal (667 ± 80.69 nmol/ml) in early uncomplicated cirrhosis (Grade A), moderately high in Grade B ( 952 ± 32.90 nmol/ml), and significantly high (1058 ± 75.04 nmol/ml) in the patients classified as Grade C according to Child Pugh classification of liver cirrhosis. Fibrinogen level showed variations. It was below normal in early uncomplicated (Grade A) patients (1.8 ± 0.90 g/L), with in normal range in Grade B patients (3.5 ± 1.02 g/L), and significantly decreased (1.2 ± 2.48g/L) in advanced cirrhosis liver with many complications. (Grade C). Conclusion: Serum sialic acid and fibrinogen are an important prognostic tool in liver cirrhosis which may be helpful in following the dynamics of the disease and managing complications before they manifest clinically and progress to fatal level.

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