Hepatitis B Virus in Cirrhosis and Primary Livers Cancers

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, due to its frequency and progression to complications such as cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Objective: To help improve the management of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients and Methods: This was a 34-month cross-sectional study conducted in the Hepato-Gastroenterology Department of the CHU de l'Amitié Sino-centrafricaine in Bangui. It included patients of both sexes aged 18 years or older with a diagnosis of HBV-related cirrhosis and/or HCC. Results: During the study period, 1344 patients were admitted to hospital, 681 of them for chronic liver disease (51%). Among patients admitted for chronic liver disease, in particular cirrhosis and/or HCC, HBV was implicated in 288 cases (42.30%), of whom 170 (24.96%) met our inclusion criteria. These included 123 men (72.35%) and 47 women (27.65%). The sex ratio was 2.61. The mean age of our patients was 40 years (±11 years) with extremes of 18 and 76 years. Cirrhosis was observed in 101 cases (59.41%), HCC on cirrhosis in 59 cases (34.70%) and HCC in 10 cases (5.89%). Cirrhosis was classified as Child-Pugh B in 62 cases and C in 20 cases. HCC on cirrhosis was classified according to BCLC stage C in 7 cases and stage D in 52 cases. Conclusion: HBV is the leading cause of cirrhosis and HCC in the Central African Republic. Chronic liver disease is diagnosed at the advanced stage of the disease. Hence the importance of early detection, prevention through vaccination at birth, and management of infected patients.