Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Liver disease is any condition that affects liver function. It is directly linked to
coagulation disorders due to the underproduction of coagulation factors by the liver. Coagulation tests
are used as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of liver disease to investigate the status of the liver.
However, there is limited information on the magnitude and determinants of coagulation abnormalities
among liver disease patients in Ethiopia, specifically in the study area.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of basic coagulation
abnormalities among liver disease patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized
Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia, in 2022.
Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2022 among
307 consecutively selected liver disease patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive
Specialized Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a
structured questionnaire and data collection sheet, respectively. Six mL of venous blood were collected
for a coagulation test and liver function test. Data were entered into the Epi-data version 3.1 software
and exported to STATA version 14 software for analysis. The result was described by frequencies,
proportions, and summary statistics. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses
were done to determine associated factors for basic coagulation abnormalities. The Spearman rank
correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between basic coagulation test results and
liver function test results among liver disease patients.
Result: From a total 307 study participant the magnitude of prolonged PT and abnormal APTT was
68.08%, (95% CI: 62.8%, 73.3%) and 63.51% (95% CI: 58.1%, 68.9%), respectively. The presence of
anemia (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.26, 7.03), lack of vegetable feeding habit (AOR = 2.98, 95% CI: 1.42,
6.24), an absence of blood transfusion history (AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.78, 7.78), and not doing
physical exercise (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.60, 6.52) were significantly associated with prolonged PT.
Anemia (AOR = 3.02; 95% CI: 1.34, 6.76), a lack of a vegetable feeding habit (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI:
1.34, 5.20), a lack of a blood transfusion history (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.09, 4.79), and not doing
physical exercise (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.16, 4.78) were all significantly associated with abnormal
APTT. Liver function result had a moderately significant positive correlation with PT and APTT
results.
Conclusion and recommendation: In this research, patients with liver disease had high coagulation
abnormalities. A coagulation abnormality is associated with the presence of anemia, transfusion
history, physical exercise, and vegetables. Therefore, liver disease patient should give attention for
prevention of coagulation abnormalities.
Key Words: Liver disease, PT, APTT basic coagulation abnormality, correlation, Gondar, Ethiopia
