Hepatitis and Liver Diseases

Biography

Biography: Makki H Fayadh

Abstract

Gastrointestinal and liver diseases are major causes of death and disability in Middle East and North Africa. Diarrheal diseases have been replaced by gastrointestinal cancers and cirrhosis in most countries in the region. In the Gulf GCC countries, Jordan & Iraq, GIT cancers are increasing. Gastrointestinal and liver diseases show variability in the pattern of their prevalence, incidence, mortality and the final burden they impose. Some countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan are still facing gastrointestinal infectious diseases; other countries with better economy in the region have experienced the obvious transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases. Liver cirrhosis is among the top four causes of death in all countries in our area. The death rate caused by cirrhosis in Egypt is by far the highest in the world, followed by Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Morocco. Pakistan is specifically experiencing an epidemic of cirrhosis. Liver cancer is among the top four causes of death in 18 countries. In Iraq chronic liver diseases are very prevalent and account for 2/3^rd of the admissions, the important causes is in the following order, hepatitis B, alcohol, hepatitis C, immune hepatitis and metabolic diseases. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is rapidly increasing and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has become a leading indication for liver transplantation. Diarrheal diseases have been replaced by gastrointestinal cancers and cirrhosis in most countries in the region. In the Gulf GCC countries, Jordan & Iraq cancers are increasing. Chronic hepatitis B and C are the main causes of liver cirrhosis and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Gastrointestinal and liver diseases show variability in the pattern of their prevalence, incidence, mortality and the final burden they impose. There is marked difference in prevalence of liver disease in our area. Diarrheal diseases have been replaced by gastrointestinal cancers and cirrhosis in most countries in the region. Liver cirrhosis is among the top four causes of death in all countries in our area.