A study on renal function in chronic liver disease

Abstract

Aim & Objectives: To determine the usefulness of serum creatinine and creatinine clearance as parameters in assessing renal function abnormalities in patients with chronic liver disease.Methodology: Inpatients in the medical ward/IMCU admitted with chronic liver disease with seemingly normal renal function were included in this analytical study which was conducted from June 2018 to October 2019. Lab investigations including complete Liver function test, Renal function tests, Viral marker for hepatitis B, Urine analysis, 24 hour urine volume and Urine creatinine was done and results noted. Results: In the present study, Age of the patients ranged from a minimum of 22 years to a maximum of 58 years. The mean age was 42.14 years. Out of the 43 patients of cirrhosis, the cause of liver disease was attributed to alcoholism in 21 patients. 6 patients were found to be positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen. There was no significant variation in blood urea levels in all the three groups. Eighteen percent ie, five out of the twenty-eight patients with creatinine clearance more than 60 ml / minute by Cockcroft gault formula were found to have creatinine clearance values less than 40 ml/minute when done by timed urine collection. Serum bilirubin levels were found to have no significant correlation with renal function.Conclusion: Finally we conclude that, In chronic liver disease, serum creatinine alone is not a reliable marker to assess renal dysfunction. Calculating creatinine clearance by using Cockcroft  Gault  formula over estimates renal function in cirrhotics

Keywords: Liver diseases, Renal Function, Creatinine, Cockcroft Gault Formula.