Risk Factors of Liver Cirrhosis in Chad: Large Proportion of Cases without Clear Etiology

Abstract

Background: In comparison to other forms of chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis is generally poorly studied in sub Saharan Africa. In Chad, more particularly, no data are available despite the burden of liver diseases considered as the first cause of hospitalizations in the country. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 268 patients with liver cirrhosis attending care at the University Reference Hospital between 2007 and 2016. Results: This series of liver cirrhoses was characterized by a weak mal predominance (M:F = 1.7). The age of onset occurs significantly earlier in women than in men (40.6 ± 12.0 vs. 44.4 ± 13.4, p = 0.0171). The principal risk factor was persistent infection with hepatitis B virus (49% of cases) followed distantly by infection with hepatitis C virus (13%) and excessive alcohol consumption (10%). Men were more frequently carrying HBV surface antigen than women (65.6% vs 35.9% p = 0.0019). HBV-associated liver cirrhosis was overall more severe than diseases from other causes. A large proportion of cirrhosis (30%), observed primarily in women (48.1% vs 24.1%, p = 0.0036), was considered are cryptogenic. Conclusions: The etiological spectrum of liver cirrhosis remains to be properly defined in Chad. This lack of knowledge prevents the implementation of an efficient policy of prevention. A significant effort should be secured to characterize hitherto neglected infectious, lifestyle or genetic risk factors responsible of this form of terminal disease and improve subsequently liver health of local populations.