1. Introduction
Varices are a common finding in patients with cirrhosis, and variceal bleeding is a severe complication. Despite the advances in diagnosis and therapy, mortality from acute variceal bleeding is still very high, about 25–35%, and it is the second cause of death in cirrhotic patients and Non-selective β-blockers given to cirrhotic patients without a previous history of variceal bleeding reduce the risk of first bleeding and mortality rate. Furthermore, isosorbide mononitrate or band ligation have a place where there is intolerance or contraindications to propranolol for the prevention of the first episode of bleeding and . It is now recommended that all patients with established cirrhosis should be screened by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the presence of varices at the time of diagnosis. Patients with large varices should be treated with non-selective β-blockers to reduce the incidence of first variceal bleeding. Furthermore, patients without varices or with small varices should be re-endoscoped every 1–3 years and
However, less than 50% of cirrhotic patients have varices at the screening endoscopy and the majority have small sized varices, carrying a very low risk of bleeding. The factors related to the presence of varices are not well defined, although continued hepatic injury and the degree of portosystemic shunting are the two most important factors for the development of varices. The aim of the present study was to determine whether clinical or laboratory non-endoscopic parameters could predict the presence of large oesophageal varices, and whether it is possible to identify a subgroup of cirrhotic patients with a high probability of large varices, to improve cost effectiveness and avoid patient discomfort by overuse of screening endoscopy.