Histopathological and Clinical Correlation of Colonic Mucosal Alterations with Portal Hypertension Severity in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Abstract

Portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis leads to significant gastrointestinal changes, including colonic mucosal alterations that may impact disease progression and patient management. This study aims to evaluate the histopathological and clinical correlation between colonic mucosal changes and the severity of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis patients. A prospective study was conducted on 150 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis who underwent colonoscopic examination and biopsy. The severity of portal hypertension was assessed using hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements, spleen size, and clinical complications such as variceal bleeding and ascites. Histopathological analysis of colonic biopsies focused on vascular ectasia, mucosal edema, inflammatory infiltrates, and epithelial abnormalities. The findings revealed a significant correlation between the degree of portal hypertension and the extent of colonic mucosal alterations. Patients with higher HVPG values exhibited more pronounced vascular congestion and mucosal damage, with increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. The study concludes that colonic mucosal changes can serve as a clinical indicator of portal hypertension severity in liver cirrhosis, potentially aiding in risk stratification and guiding endoscopic surveillance strategies. Further studies are required to explore the prognostic implications of these findings.