Article: Hypersplenism is related to age of onset of liver disease

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether hypersplenism is related to the age of onset of liver disease.

Methods: Hypersplenism was assessed in 84 consecutive cirrhotic patients attending a university hospital liver clinic.

Results: Hypersplenism was present in 78% of patients and severe in 39%. Severe hypersplenism was more common in patients with cystic fibrosis liver disease (88%, P < 0.0001) and autoimmune hepatitis (60%, P = 0.0006) compared to alcoholic cirrhosis (12%). There was a significant correlation between patient age and platelet count r = 0.525, P < 0.0001 in the group as a whole and for the sub-group of patients with autoimmune hepatitis r = 0.54, P = 0.047. There was a negative correlation between age and spleen size r = -0.611, P < 0.0001.

Conclusion: Younger patients had lower platelet counts, larger spleens and a higher incidence of hypersplenism suggesting that hypersplenism is significantly related to the age of onset of chronic liver disease.

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Hypersplenism is Related to Age of Onset of Liver Disease