Hypothyroidism simulating as polymyositis.

Polymyositis-like syndrome in hypothyroidism is a rare condition characterised by proximal muscle weakness and elevated muscle enzymes. Patients with this condition can initially be misdiagnosed as having polymyositis due to similar characteristics of both diseases; however a response to thyroxine is the main differentiating feature. This report highlights the case of a 30-year-old male who had severe myalgia and proximal muscle weakness. In addition to raised creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, his biochemical profile showed hypothyroidism. Initially thought to be suffering from polymyositis, improvement in both clinical and biochemical profile with thyroxine led to the diagnosis of polymyositis-like syndrome associated with hypothyroidism.

Unique side effects of interferon.

Interferon-alpha, a potent mediator of host immune response, has immunomodulatory properties in addition to its antiviral effects. A wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases can occur in patients treated with interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis B and D, of which clinical systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) accounts for less than 1% and hypothyroidism for 2-4 %. We report herein a case of a 16-year-old male who developed antinuclear antibody (ANA)-negative SLE and hypothyroidism after treatment with interferon-alpha for chronic hepatitis. High index of suspicion is therefore necessary in all patients treated with interferon for early diagnosis and treatment.

Brief psychological intervention after self-harm: randomised controlled trial from Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Self-harm is a major risk factor for completed suicide. AIMS: To determine the efficacy of a brief psychological intervention - culturally adapted manual-assisted problem-solving training (C-MAP) - delivered following an episode of self-harm compared with treatment as usual (TAU). METHOD: The study was a randomised controlled assessor-masked clinical trial (trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01308151). All patients admitted after an episode of self-harm during the previous 7 days to the participating medical units of three university hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan, were included in the study. A total of 250 patients were screened and 221 were randomly allocated to C-MAP plus treatment as usual (TAU) or to TAU alone. All patients were assessed at baseline, at 3 months (end of intervention) and at 6 months after baseline. The primary outcome measure was reduction in suicidal ideation at 3 months. The secondary outcome measures included hopelessness, depression, coping resources and healthcare utilisation. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were randomised to the C-MAP group and 113 to the TAU group. Patients in the C-MAP group showed statistically significant improvement on the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation and Beck Hopelessness Inventory, which was sustained at 3 months after the completion of C-MAP. There was also a significant reduction in symptoms of depression compared with patients receiving TAU. CONCLUSIONS: The positive outcomes of this brief psychological intervention in patients attempting self-harm are promising and suggest that C-MAP may have a role in suicide prevention.

Insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients of chronic Hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE: To determine insulin resistance in non-diabetic chronic hepatitis C patients using Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). METHODOLOGY: Patients having anti-HCV positive were included in this study. Patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, hyperlipidemias, hypercortisolism and infective diseases other than hepatitis C were excluded. Age, weight, height and absence of diabetes were documented. Fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels were done. Body mass index and insulin resistance was calculated using the formulas. Patients having insulin resistance using formula HOMA-IR>2.5 were labeled as insulin resistant. Data was analyzed using SPSS-18. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty five patients according to sample size estimation were enrolled, in whom HOMA-IR was calculated, the mean value was found to be 2.47 ±1.30. A total of 79 (51%) of patients had HOMA-IR more than 2.5 showing insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: In a third world country like Pakistan, where there is a high prevalence of hepatitis C infection, the consequences of the disease are also very common. Insulin resistance was found in 51% of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Sustained virological response based on rapid virological response in genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C treated with standard interferon in the Pakistani population.

AIM: To document the sustained virological response (SVR) in rapid virological responders (RVR) of genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C with standard interferon (SdIF). METHODS: Hepatitis C genotype-3 patients during the period July 2006 and June 2007 were included. Complete blood counts, prothrombin time, ALT, albumin, qualitative HCV RNA were done. SdIF and ribavirin were given for 4 wk and qualitative HCV RNA was repeated. Those testing negative were allocated to group-A while the rest were allocated to group-B. Treatment was continued a total of 16 and 24 wk for group A and B respectively. HCV RNA was repeated after 24 wk of treatment. End virological and sustained virological responses were compared by c2 test. ROC of pretreatment age, ALT and albumin were plotted for failure to achieve SVR. RESULTS: Of 74 patients treated, RCV RNA after 16 wk of therapy became undetectable in 34 (45.9%) and was detectable in 40 (54.1%) and were allocated to groups A and B respectively. SVR was achieved in 58.8% and 27.8% in groups A and B respectively. SVR rates were significantly higher in patients who had RVR as compared to those who did not (P = 0.0; gamma = 2). Both groups combined ETR and SVR were 70% and 33% respectively. ROC plots of pretreatment age, ALT and albumin for SVR showed only ALT to have a significantly large area under the curve. CONCLUSION: SVR rates were higher in patients who had RVR with SdIF and high pre treatment ALT values correlated to probability of having RVR.

Triple hepatitis: frequency and treatment outcome of co/super-infection of hepatitis C and D among patients of hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of hepatitis C and D in patients of chronic hepatitis B and the treatment response of hepatitis B in such patients. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Civil Hospital and Lyari General Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, from July 2003 to June 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients of hepatitis B presenting during the study period were screened for triple infection by carrying out anti-HBc (IgG), anti-HCV and anti-HDV. Patients who were positive to all three were included in the study. Complete Blood Count (CBC); HBsAg; HBeAg; anti-HBc IgM; anti-HDV; anti-HCV; HBV DNA PCR; HCV RNA PCR; serum albumin; SGPT; serum bilirubin and ultrasound abdomen were acquired in all patients. All patients received pegylated interferon-alpha2a 180 mcg sc weekly x 48 weeks. Patients who were also positive for HCV RNA also received ribavirin 1000-1200 mg/d po x 24 weeks for genotype 3 and 48 weeks for genotype 1. Descriptive statistics were used for describing the data. RESULTS: Out of the 246 patients of HBV, 29 (11.8%) patients were also positive for anti-HBc IgG, anti-HDV and anti-HCV. After 48 weeks of therapy, the respective viral undetection by PCR was 4 (13.8%) in patients having only HBV DNA, 3 (10.3%) in patients with only HCV RNA and in patients who had both HBV DNA and HCV RNA positive, simultaneously HCV was cleared in 2 (6.9%) while HBV was not cleared in any case. CONCLUSION: In patients coming with one hepatic infection, other infections should be sought as they share a common mode of spread and may affect the overall response to treatment.

Appraisal of the knowledge of Internet users of Pakistan regarding hepatitis using on-line survey.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are global health care problems causing morbidity and mortality. Much of it could be prevented by better education of the masses regarding its spread. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge base of internet users of Pakistan to help in formulating education strategies. METHODS: A survey questionnaire consisting of 20 close ended questions was designed and hosted on a website. The responses submitted at the website were auto-emailed to the author. RESULTS: A total of 1024 complete responses were included. The survey shows increased level of awareness according to the educational status. The knowledge status of lowest education level was also adequate possibly due to access to internet to these respondents. CONCLUSION: Internet users in Pakistan have adequate core knowledge regarding hepatitis.

Treatment outcome in patients of hepatitis B with hepatitis D: experience of 4 years at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine HBV suppression in patients with dual HBV and HDV infection after 48 weeks with 10.0 MIU of interferon-a 2b. DESIGN: Quasi experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Civil Hospital, Karachi and Lyari General Hospital, Karachi, from July 2003 to June 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All HBsAg positive patients were screened for anti-HDV, all positives were included. Baseline investigations, liver chemistries and HBsAg; HBeAg; anti-HBcore IgM; HBV DNA quantitative PCR were done. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and decompensated cirrhosis were excluded. Patients were treated with Interferon-alpha 10.0 MIU sc t.i.w. for 48 weeks. HBeAg and quantitative HBV DNA was done at week 0, 24 and 48 while CBC and SGPT were done monthly. HBV suppression was defined as levels < 400 copies/ml. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were selected for intervention, including 34 males and 18 females. At the end of therapy after 48 weeks, HBV DNA suppression was achieved in 51.9% and HBeAg became undetectable in 53.8% of patients. Twenty-one patients with HBV suppression still had raised SGPT. CONCLUSION: HDV should be screened in all patients eligible for HBV treatment.

Comparison of heart rate and QTc duration in patients of cirrhosis of liver with non-cirrhotic controls.

OBJECTIVE: To compare QTc duration and Heart Rate (HR) in patients with cirrhosis with non-cirrhotic controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Civil Hospital and Lyari General Hospital, Karachi, from March 2004 to February 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Confirmed patients of cirrhosis were selected and allocated to Group-I. An equal number of non-cirrhotic patients were taken as control and were allocated to Group-II. ECG was recorded and values of HR and QTc were calculated. Comparison of increased frequency of HR and prolongation of QTc were done using Chi-square test or Fisher's Exact Test with significance level at

Frequency of dual tuberculosis/human immunodeficiency virus infection in patients presenting at tertiary care centers at karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of dual infection of Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and document the sexual practices of infected patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Medical Unit-IV of Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, in collaboration with Sindh AIDS Control Program at Services Hospital, Karachi, from January 2003 to December 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited in the study at both centers and tested for both HIV and TB if any one disease was identified. Diagnosis of TB was based on positive sputum AFB smear / caseous granulomatous lesion on histopathology. Diagnosis of HIV was based on positive anti-HIV serology by LISA technique. A questionnaire was also administered to all the study participants regarding demographics, sexual practices, blood transfusion and intravenous drug abuse. RESULTS: A total of 196 patients of HIV and TB were screened for the presence of dual infection (TB/HIV). Dual infection was present in 38 (19.39%) of patients. Out of 126 patients of HIV, evidence of TB was detected in 38 (30.16%). During the same duration, 70 patients of tuberculosis were screened for HIV and none was tested positive for HIV. History of illicit sexual relationship was found in 121 (96.03%) patients and 5 of these were homosexuals. CONCLUSION: Dual infection was present in patients of HIV with TB but vice versa was not documented in this study.

Hemogolbin, ferritin, vitamin B12 and halicobacter pylori infection: a study in patients who underwent upper gi endoscopy at civil hospital karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To compare hemoglobin, ferritin, and vitamin B12 levels in patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy according to their Helicobacter pylori status. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Civil Hospital and Lyari General Hospitals, Karachi, from March 2004 to June 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing upper GI Endoscopy were selected, while patients of active peptic ulcers, malignancy, varices, malabsorption and recent blood donation were excluded. Blood samples for CBC, serum ferritin and vitamin B12 were collected and H.pylori status was ascertained by urease test on gastric biopsy. Differences in mean values of age, ferritin, hemoglobin, MCV and vitamin B12 were done by student's 't-test'. Significant confounding factors were identified on multivariate analysis and were further analyzed by univariate analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-five subjects were studied, including 171 males and 114 females. H.pylori was positive in 214 (75.1%) patients. Significantly low levels of hemoglobin (p =0.0), ferritin (p = 0.0) and vitamin B12 (p = 0.0) were found in patients with H. pylori infection. Gender, menopause, contraception and history of peptic ulcer disease were identified as significant confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly low levels of hemoglobin, ferritin and vitamin B12 were found in patients with H.pylori infection.

Correlation of quality of life in patients of cirrhosis of liver with etiology and disease severity using disease-specific quality of life questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Quality of Life has an important status in patient management suffering from chronic disease like cirrhosis and health related quality of life has significant impact on patient management. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation of health related quality of life with disease severity in patients of cirrhosis of liver. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Medical Unit-IV, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, during the period January 2006 to October 2006. All patients of cirrhosis of liver admitted during the study period were selected. Patients with encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. The 29 item chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) was administered to the patients by a postgraduate trainee. Internal validity of responses was checked statistically and correlation of responses was done with disease severity by Child-Pughs Criteria. RESULTS: 109 patients were selected with 72 males and 37 females. Patient classification according to Child class A, B & C was 30, 38 & 41 respectively. The mean CLDQ score in the patients was 89.5 +/- 30.4. It correlated significantly with Child Class but did not correlate with the gender, age and etiology of cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: Health related CLDQ scores correlate with the severity of liver disease.

Frequency and comparative analysis of hapatitis D in petients seeking treatment for hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVE: To find the frequency of hepatitis 'D' in patients of hepatitis 'B' seeking treatment and to compare clinical and biochemical features in patients harboring HDV with those who are not. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Medical Unit-IV, Civil Hospital Karachi, Medical Unit-VI and Surgical Unit-VII, Lyari General Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi; from July 2003 to June 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HBsAg positive patients seeking treatment were enrolled in the study. Anti-HDV was done in all. Patients were split into two groups according to their anti-HDV status into HDV positive and HDV negative groups. Liver biochemistries and viral profile for HCV, anti-HBc IgM and HBeAg were done and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 246 patients were selected. HDV was positive in 66 (26.8%) patients. No significant difference was observed in the frequency and stages of cirrhosis between the two groups while significant differences were observed in the mean SGPT (95% CI: -381.09 to -110.74; P = 0.001) and albumin levels (95% CI: 1.87 to 7.73; P = 0.007) and in the frequency of HBeAg (P = 0.001), anti-HBc IgM (P = 0.02) and HBV DNA (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: HDV infection was common in patients with HBV in this cohort of patients. All patients of HBV should be screened for HDV before treatment decision for the former is taken.

Correlation between clinical endoscopic and histological findings at esophago-gastric junction in patients of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between the clinical, endoscopic and histological findings in patients of GERD. DESIGN: An observational, cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Lyari General Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences from November 2003 to October 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients complaining of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least twice per week for at least 3 months were inducted in the study. Presence of clinical symptoms of epigastric pain, retrosternal burning, and reflux were recorded. Patients were subjected to esophagogastroduodenoscopy and four biopsies were taken from esophago-gastric junction. Correlation/regression analysis was done on clinical, endoscopic and histological findings. RESULTS: A total of 196 patients were selected and endoscopically examined. Most common grade given by patients to epigastic pain was grade-4 (42.9%), retrosternal burning as grade-4 (41.8%) and reflux grade-5 (36.7%). There was significant correlation between the clinical severity of epigastric pain with endoscopic findings (p = 0.002) and reflux (p = 0.0) but no correlation was observed with histological findings (p = 0.19). Out of 109 (55.6%) patients who had normal mucosa on endoscopy but on histology 70 (35.7%) of them had inflammation. Grading of endoscopic and histological findings showed significant correlation with each other (p = 0.0). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic negative GERD is common; severity of clinical symptoms does not correlate [corrected] with endoscopic findings while histopathological findings correlate with those of endoscopic findings [corrected]

Guillain-Barre syndrome occurring after rabies vaccination.

A variety of events are associated with the onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome, including vaccinations and vaccines. These are the swine influenza vaccine, oral poliovirus vaccine and rabies vaccine. Rabies is a uniformly fatal disease. It is preventable if World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for post exposure treatment (PET) are followed. These include local treatment of wound, passive immunization with rabies immunoglobulins and administration of a efficacious vaccine. Cell culture vaccines are highly immunogenic with fewer side effects, but are costly. For that reason neurotissue vaccines are still widely used in Pakistan, although they are less immunogenic with higher incidence of neuroparalytic complications. We report a case of Guillain-Barre syndrome secondary to sheep brain anti-rabies vaccine in a young boy, who presented with lower limb weakness with total recovery after treatment.

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled 12- week feasibility trial of methotrexate added to treatment as usual in early schizophrenia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate is a commonly used anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug. There is growing evidence that inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In our recent randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in Pakistan and Brazil, the addition of minocycline (antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug) for 1 year to treatment as usual reduced negative symptoms and improved some cognitive measures. A meta-analysis of cytokine changes in the peripheral blood has identified IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and soluble IL-2 receptor as trait markers of schizophrenia because their levels were elevated during acute exacerbations and reduced in remission. This suggests immune activation and an inflammatory syndrome in schizophrenia. Based on the evidence of the strong anti-inflammatory properties of methotrexate, we propose that low-dose methotrexate may be an effective therapy in early schizophrenia. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a double-blind placebo-controlled study of methotrexate added to treatment as usual for patients suffering from schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified or schizophreniform disorder. This will be with 72 patients, 36 in each arm over 3 months. There will be screening, randomisation and follow-up visits. Full clinical assessments will be carried out at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Social and cognitive assessments will be carried out at baseline and 12 weeks. Methotrexate will be given at a dose of 10 mgs orally once a week for a 3-month period. DISCUSSION: Evidence suggests inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and anti-inflammatory treatments have shown to have some beneficial effects. Methotrexate is a known immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory drug. The aim of this study is to establish the degree of improvement in positive and negative symptoms, as well as cognitive functioning with the addition of methotrexate to treatment as usual.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02074319 (24 February 2014).

Stroke scale score and early prediction of outcome after stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score as a predictor of functional outcome after ischemic stroke. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out between September 2001 and May 2002 at the Department of Medicine, Civil Hospital, Karachi. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients who presented to Civil Hospital, Karachi, during the study period with acute stroke and were evaluated with CT scan of brain. Only those patients were enrolled in the study that had acute ischemic stroke. The enrolled subjects were then evaluated for the neurological impairment using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The subjects were followed-up and their functional outcome was assessed using Barthel index (BI) on the 7th day of their admission. RESULTS: Of the fifty patients enrolled in the study, 31(62%) were males and 19 (38%) were females, with age ranging from 45 years to 95 years and a mean age of 59.9 years. Neurological impairment at presentation was assessed by NIHSS. The score ranged between 2 and 28. The functional outcome was evaluated on the 7th day using Barthel index (BI), which ranged from 0 to 80. NIHSS score was found to be a good predictor of functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke (p<0.001). Other factors like gender, hypertension and heart disease did not affect the functional recovery in such patients. Various factors were found to be significant for early prediction of stroke recovery. The NIHSS score was the strongest predictor of outcome after ischemic stroke. Age at the time of the event was also found to be an important predictor for stroke recovery. CONCLUSION: The NIHSS score is a good predictor of patient' recovery after stroke. Assessing the patient's neurological impairment at first presentation of ischemic stroke can guide the physician regarding the prognosis and management plan.

Frequency of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in porto-systemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in patients presenting with porto-systemic encephalopathy due to liver disease. STUDY DESIGN: An observational, cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Different medical units at Civil Hospital, Karachi between May 2001 and April 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During the study period, seventy-six patients of porto-systemic encephalopathy due to liver diseases were selected. These subjects were evaluated for hepatic encephalopathy grade, modified Child-Pugh classification and were managed according to the standard practices. These patients were evaluated for Helicobacter (H. pylori ) antibody status by ELISA(Abbott Laboratories) method. RESULTS: Out of 76 patients studied and tested for H. pylori antibodies, 48(63.2%) were males and 28(36.8%) were females with age ranging between 17 and 85 years. Out of 76 patients who presented with porto-systemic encephalopathy, 59(77.6%) had a positive H. pylori antibody test. Thirty five of these were males and 24 were females. A significant number of patients who presented with higher grade of encephalopathy were H. pylori antibody positive (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, frequency of H. pylori antibodies was significantly high in patients of porto-systemic encephalopathy.

Hepatitis B and C prevalence among the high risk groups of Pakistani population. A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B and C cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Little is known about the existence of hepatitis B and C among high risk groups of the Pakistani population. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in high risk groups, their comparison and the possible mode of acquisition by obtaining the history of exposure to known risk factors. METHODS: This cross sectional study was carried out in Karachi, from January 2007 to June 2008.HBsAg and Anti HCV screening was carried out in blood samples collected from four vulnerable or at risk groups which included injecting drug users (IDUs), prisoners, security personnel and health care workers (HCWs). Demographic information was recorded and the possible mode of acquisition was assessed by detailed interview. Logistic regression analysis was conducted using the STATA software. RESULTS: We screened 4202 subjects, of these, 681 individuals were reactive either with hepatitis B or C. One hundred and thirty three (3.17%) were hepatitis B reactive and 548 (13.0%) were diagnosed with hepatitis C. After adjusting for age, security personnel, prisoners and IV drug users were 5, 3 and 6 times more likely to be hepatitis B reactive respectively as compared to the health care workers. IDUs were 46 times more likely to be hepatitis C positive compared with health care workers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C was considerably higher in IDUs, prisoners and security personnel compared to HCWs group. Hepatitis C is more prevalent than hepatitis B in all these risk groups. Prevalence of hepatitis C increased with the increase in age. Use of unsterilized syringes, used syringes, body piercing and illicit sexual relations were found to be important associated risk factors for higher prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in these groups.

Determination of correlation of Adjusted Blood Requirement Index with outcome in patients presenting with acute variceal bleeding.

AIM: To determine the correlation of Adjusted Blood Requirement Index (ABRI) with the 7th day outcome in patients presenting with acute variceal bleeding. METHODS: All patients presenting with acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH) were included. Patients with previous band ligation, sclerotherapy, gastrointestinal or hepatic malignancies were excluded. Patients were managed as per standard protocol for AVH with terlipressin and band ligation. ABRI scores were calculated using the formula outcome of alive or expired up to the 7th day after treatment. The correlation between ABRI and mortality was estimated and a receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients (76 male; 37 female) were included. On assessment, 18 were in Child's Pugh Class A, 82 in Class B and 13 were in Class C. The median number of blood units transfused +/- inter-quartile range was 3.0 +/- 2.0. The median +/- inter-quartile range for ABRI was 1.3 +/- 1.1. The ROC curve of ABRI for expiry showed a significantly large area of 0.848 (P < 0.0001; 95% CI: 0.75-0.95). A significant correlation of log transformation of ABRI with an outcome of mortality was present (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: ABRI correlates strongly with mortality.