Liver cirrhosis in Malaysia: Peculiar epidemiology in a multiracial Asian country

Qua, C.S. and Goh, K.L. (2011) Liver cirrhosis in Malaysia: Peculiar epidemiology in a multiracial Asian country. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 26 (8). ISSN 0815-9319, DOI 21443669.

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Official URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21443669

Abstract

Background and Aim:  To determine the etiology of liver cirrhosis and risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a multiracial Asian population. Methods:  Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis presenting to outpatient clinics and inpatient service at the University of Malaya Medical Centre from 1 April 2006 to 31 May 2009 were included. Results:  A total of 460 patients were included in the study: 317 male patients (68.9%) and 143 female patients (31.1%), with a mean age of 58.8 years (range: 15-87 years). The major causes of cirrhosis were: chronic hepatitis B, n = 212, 46.1%; chronic hepatitis C, n = 85, 18.5%; cryptogenic, n = 71, 15.4%; alcohol, n = 58, 12.6% and autoimmune, n = 9, 2.0%. Alcohol was the main etiology in Indians (51.1%) compared to Malay (0%) and Chinese (4.4%) (both P < 0.001). Hepatitis B was the predominant etiology in Malay (47.9%) and Chinese (58.8%) compared to Indians (5.6%) (both P < 0.001). Hepatitis C cirrhosis was highest in Malays (25.0%). 136 patients (29.6%) had concurrent HCC. Male sex (P < 0.001), age > 60 years (P = 0.014), hepatitis B (P < 0.001), hepatitis C (P = 0.006) and cryptogenic cause (P = 0.002) were found to be independent risk factors for HCC. Conclusions:  The etiology of cirrhosis has a peculiar pattern based on racial differences in alcohol intake and in the prevalence of hepatitis B.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords: Liver Cirrhosis
Subjects: R Medicine
Depositing User: Mr. Faizal Hamzah
Date Deposited: 05 Aug 2011 00:24
Last Modified: 22 Jun 2012 01:18
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/1936

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