The Relationship between Periostin Level and the Presence of Esophageal Varices in Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis

Esophageal varices are life-threatening complications of decompensated liver cirrhosis. Herein, it was aimed to explore the relationship between esophageal varices and serum periostin levels in decompensated cirrhosis patients. Decompensated liver cirrhosis patients (18-70 years) undergoing upper gastrointestinal (GIS) endoscopy were included in the study. The relationship between serum periostin and esophageal varices was investigated. Those with esophageal varices were divided into three groups: stages I, II, and III, and the periostin levels of the groups were compared. Forty-three (54.4%) patients were female, and the median age was 62 years (20-70 years). Sixty (75.9%) patients had esophageal varices (stage I, n=16; stage II, n=23; stage III, n=21). Although serum periostin level was higher in those with esophageal varices than those without, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.222). Given the grades of esophageal varices, no significant difference was seen between the groups concerning periostin levels (p=0.480). In analyses, statistically significant positive correlations were found between periostin levels and Child-Pugh score (r=0.307, p=0.006), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR) (r=0.279, p=0.013), aminotransferase (AST)/platelet ratio index (APRI) (r=0.283, p=0.011), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score (r=0.286 p=0.011), and international normalized ratio (INR) value (r=0.235, p=0.037), and negative correlations between periostin levels and P2/MS scores (r=-0.275, p=0.014), platelet (r=-0.282, p=0.012) and albumin (r=0.356, p=0.001). There was no significant relationship between serum periostin levels and the presence and grade of esophageal varices. The correlation between periostin and other prognostic markers suggested that periostin might be a potential prognostic marker in cirrhosis patients.