Vol. 2, Issue 12, Part A (2016)

Abstract
The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Rohilkhand region located in the Northern India, over a period of 8 months from January 2016 to August 2016. All patients diagnosed as ascites on the basis of history, physical examination, ultrasonography, and age >18 years admitted in medicine department of Rohilkhand Medical College & hospital (RMCH), Bareilly (U.P) were included in the study. Patients of peritonitis and unwilling to participate in the study were excluded. The patients included in the study were evaluated by detailed history and physical examination. Ascitic fluid paracentesis and virologic testing for Hepatitis B and C were done in all the patients. Ascitic fluid was analyzed for cytology, biochemistry, gram staining, acid fast bacillus staining, malignant cells, culture, and sensitivity and for adenosine deaminase (ADA). Serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) was estimated in all patients. Ultrasound abdomen was done in all patients followed by computed tomography if the ultrasound was inconclusive or if there was evidence of any intra abdominal malignancy. Specific etiology oriented investigations were carried out. Other investigations such as antinuclear antibodies, an antibody against liver-kidney-microsomes, anti smooth muscle antibodies, serum ceruloplasmin, urinary copper levels and slit lamp examination for Kayser–Fleisher ring were done if indicated. Cirrhosis was diagnosed on basis of physical examination and ultrasonography. Tubercular ascites was diagnosed on the basis of lymphocytic predominance on cytology, low SAAG (<1.1), high protein (>2.5), ADA more than 40 IU/L. The data, thus collected, was analyzed on Microsoft Excel sheet 2010 and percentages were calculated.