Document Type : original article
Authors
- Maryam Marefat 1
- Mohammadali Kiani 2
- Masoud Mahdavi rashed 3
- Monavvar Afzalaghii 4
- Saeed Mohammadi 2
- Seyyed ali Jafari 2
- Hamidreza Kianifar 2
- Maryam Khalesi 2
1 Pediatric Gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship, ped department, Mashhad university of medical science
2 Pediatric department, medical faculty, Mashhad university of medical science
3 Radiology department, medical faculty, Mashhad university of medical science
4 Epidemiology department, health faculty, Mashhad university of medical science
Abstract
Background: Portal hypertension, a complication of chronic liver disease in children, can lead to severe gastrointestinal bleeding and an increased need for hospitalization and potentially causing death. Statins, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic effects, are used in many chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rosuvastatin on improving portal pressure and esophageal varices and reducing bleeding associated with these conditions in children with cirrhosis.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in children with compensated liver cirrhosis at the Akbar Children's Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, between March 2023 and November 2024. Initially, endoscopy and Doppler ultrasound were performed in 32 patients aged 7–17 years. The control group received standard treatments for portal hypertension, while the intervention group received rosuvastatin tablets in addition to standard treatments. After 6-month period, Doppler ultrasound and control endoscopy were repeated. All clinical, laboratory, sonographic, and endoscopic data were analyzed by a statistician.
Results: In this study, the number of cases showing a decrease in ultrasonographic parameters of portal hypertension (SA-RI and RRA-RI) was higher in the rosuvastatin group (p=0.14 and 0.37). The grades of esophageal varices decreased by 26.7% and 20% in the control and rosuvastatin groups, respectively (p=0.66). Esophageal variceal bleeding occurred in 13.3% of cases in the control group and in 25% of cases in the rosuvastatin group, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.41).
Conclusion: During the 6-month follow-up period, rosuvastatin did not demonstrate a beneficial effect in reducing portal hypertension and variceal bleeding in children with compensated liver cirrhosis.
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