Viral Hepatitis

Biography

Biography: Dr. Ehab Abd-El-Atty

Abstract

Introduction: The burden of HCC has been increasing in Egypt with a doubling in the incidence in the past 10 years. There is a geographic correlation between the incidence of HCC and the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C, suggesting that these two viral infections are the most important risk factors of HCC. Several other risk factors for the development of HCC have been reported such as aging, gender, alcohol intake and NASH. Co-infection with HBV and HCV is associated with a higher risk for developing HCC than either infection alone. Materials & Method: A retrospective study of the risk factors of HCC was done in 300 Egyptian patients with HCC and 50 patients with chronic liver diseases without HCC as controls. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg and HCVAb was significantly higher in HCC cases (18% & 70%) than controls (4% & 40%) (P=0.02 & 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, the risk of HCC development in smokers with HBV or HCV was 4.90 and 8.47 respectively (P=0.0001). It was higher than in non-smokers with HBV or HCV (OR=2.48 & 4.44) (P=0.037 & 0.0001). The risk of HCC development in HBV or HCV positive patients with DM was 3.98 and 9.19 respectively (P=0.001 & 0.0001). It was higher than for HBV or HCV positive patients without DM (OR=2.80 & 4.65) (P=0.031 & 0.0001). Conclusion: HCV and HBV infections, diabetes and smoking are the main determinants of HCC development in Egypt. Proper prophylaxis, active surveillance and secondary prevention programs for patients with chronic hepatitis are the most important steps to reduce the risk of HCC. Public awareness and health education of controllable risk factors such as smoking and DM will also reduce cases of HCC.