Indian Journal of Gastroenterology | 2021
Editorial commentary on the Indian Journal of Gastroenterology– May–June 2021
Abstract
Patients with liver cirrhosis are at risk of significant morbidity and mortality from infectious complications [1]. Data on biochemical surrogates as predictors of infection are scarce. Tapadia et al. from Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai, India assessed the predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR) alone and in combination in predicting infection in a cohort of 208 consecutive hospitalized patients with cirrhosis [2]. In addition to standard assessments (laboratory, ultrasound and appropriate cultures), CRP and NLR were also obtained. Investigators noted an infection rate of 62% with 58.5% culture positivity and mortality of 30.8%. Optimal cut-off values for NLR and CRP to predict infection were 5.86 and 33.7, respectively. One-month mortality risk was 2–3 times with NLR and CRP above these cut-off values. The combination of NLR + CRP (≥5.86 and ≥ 33.7) increased specificity and diagnostic accuracy for infection suggesting that these may have a role in predicting infection and even culture positivity. Prospective controlled studies are needed to validate this interesting observation. Evaluating the efficacy of nitazoxanide in uncomplicated amebic liver abscess