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Mekuria AN, Nedi T, Gong YY, Abula T, Engidawork E. Liver Cirrhosis of Unknown Etiology and Its Predictors in Eastern Ethiopia. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2024; 17:225-232. [PMID: 38282786 PMCID: PMC10812135 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s425954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The global burden of liver cirrhosis is increasing, with 2.1 million incident cases and nearly 1.5 million deaths in 2019. Despite the enormous progress in our understanding of the etiology of liver cirrhosis, significant cases of the disease have been reported in Eastern Ethiopia due to unidentified causes. Hence, this study aimed to identify predictors of liver cirrhosis of unknown etiology in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods A score of 7 out of 11 possible points on the ultrasound-based cirrhosis scale was used as a diagnostic criterion to include 127 liver cirrhosis patients. The study participants' demographic, dietary, lifestyle, and clinical data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and standardized reporting forms. The associations between the outcome (known and unknown etiology) and independent variables were modeled using binary logistic regression analysis. Results The etiology of liver cirrhosis was known in only 23% of patients and attributed to hepatitis B virus (21%), hepatitis C virus (0.8%), and alcohol abuse (0.8%). Sorghum consumption as a staple food (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =3.8; 95% CI: 1.2, 12.5), splenomegaly (AOR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.1, 14.4), and a family history of liver disease (AOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.91) were significantly associated with liver cirrhosis of unknown etiology. Conclusion Sorghum consumption was found to be the determinant factor of liver cirrhosis of unknown etiology, suggesting it as a possible source of exposure to aflatoxin B1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Nigussie Mekuria
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Teshome Nedi
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yun Yun Gong
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Teferra Abula
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ephrem Engidawork
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Zeleke TK, Bazezew ZA, Abebe RB. The Burden of Inappropriate Prescriptions and Predictors for Hospitalized Patients with Liver Cirrhosis in Ethiopia. Hepat Med 2023; 15:129-140. [PMID: 37790886 PMCID: PMC10542506 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s423351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pathophysiological alterations in liver cirrhosis affect how medications are metabolized and eliminated. Therefore, when prescribing medicines for patients with cirrhosis, appropriate prescription of medication is an accepted standard of practice. Since patients with cirrhosis require a complex therapy plan, it necessitates regular reviews of medication utilization. However, no research was conducted in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to figure out the predictors of inappropriate prescriptions and the pattern of prescription in patients with cirrhosis. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study design was carried out at Felege-Hiwot, a specialized and comprehensive referral hospital, from June 30, 2022, to November 30, 2022, in 123 hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Patients were recruited using a simple random sampling procedure, and data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. For the purpose of identifying determinants of inappropriate prescription, logistic regression analyses have been carried out and statistical significance was defined by a p-value of less than 0.05 and a 95% confidence range. Results The burden of inappropriate prescriptions among patients with cirrhosis was 35.8%. An increased number of medications prescribed (AOR = 4.88 (1.05-22.68)), prescription by a general practitioner (AOR = 3.57 (95% CI 1.07-11.44)), increased level of bilirubin (AOR = 3.54 (95% CI 1.95-6.45)), and decreased level of albumin (AOR = 0.18 (95% CI 0.04-0.72)) were predictors for an inappropriate prescription. Conclusion It has been found that there were inappropriate prescriptions among patients with liver cirrhosis. Prescribers should pay close attention to patients who have prescribed with higher number of medications, increased level of bilirubin and decreased level of albumin. Moreover, educational level of prescribers needs to be upgraded in order to adopt evidence-based medication prescriptions and adhere to recommended practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirsit Ketsela Zeleke
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Zegaye Agmassie Bazezew
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Rahel Belete Abebe
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Mekuria A, Xia L, Ahmed TA, Bishaw S, Teklemariam Z, Nedi T, Abula T, Engidawork E, Gong YY. Contribution of Aflatoxin B 1 Exposure to Liver Cirrhosis in Eastern Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:3543-3553. [PMID: 37605782 PMCID: PMC10440104 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s425992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Liver cirrhosis is a global health problem due to a large number of disability-associated life years and mortality. However, evidence is scarce on its causes in Eastern-Ethiopia, a place where there is a high prevalence of liver cirrhosis of unknown etiology. This study attempted to identify the risk factors related to liver cirrhosis in the area. Methods A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from January 2020 to July 2021. Following diagnoses using an ultrasound-based cirrhosis scale, a total of 127 cases were identified and compared with 253 control patients. A structured questionnaire and data abstraction form were used to collect demographic, lifestyle, and clinical information. A blood sample was also taken from each participant for clinical chemistry, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus tests as well as for an aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) albumin adduct (AF-alb) assay. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of liver cirrhosis. Results AF-alb levels were detected in 75% of the cases and 64% of the controls, with a median (IQR) level of 11 pg/mg (5.5-25) and 7.0 pg/mg (4.3-20.5), respectively (p<0.05). Moreover, the number of subjects with high AF-alb levels (≥8.6 pg/mg) was greater in cases (45%, p<0.05)) than controls (28%). Age ≥55 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.4; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.8), being a farmer (AOR= 3.0; 95% CI: 1.5, 6.0), family history of liver disease (AOR= 2.9; 95% CI: 1.1, 7.9), HBV seropositivity (AOR=4.0; 95% CI: 1.9, 8.8), and exposure to high levels of AF-alb (AOR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.7) were significantly associated with liver cirrhosis. Conclusion This study found a strong link between AFB1 exposure and liver cirrhosis. Mitigation of aflatoxin exposure and a better understanding of additional environmental risk factors like pesticides may be necessary to reduce the disease burden in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Mekuria
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Lei Xia
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Tekabe Abdosh Ahmed
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Bishaw
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Zelalem Teklemariam
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Teshome Nedi
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tefera Abula
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ephrem Engidawork
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yun Yun Gong
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Devarbhavi H, Asrani SK, Arab JP, Nartey YA, Pose E, Kamath PS. Global burden of Liver Disease: 2023 Update. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00194-0. [PMID: 36990226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 308] [Impact Index Per Article: 308.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Liver disease accounts for 2 million deaths and is responsible for 4% of all deaths (1 out of every 25 deaths worldwide); approximately 2/3 of all liver related deaths occur in men. Deaths are largely attributable to complications of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, with acute hepatitis accounting for a smaller proportion of deaths. The most common causes of cirrhosis worldwide are related to viral hepatitis, alcohol, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatotropic viruses are the etiological factor in most cases of acute hepatitis, but drug-induced liver injury increasingly accounts for a significant proportion of cases. This iteration of the global burden of liver disease is an update of the 2019 version and focuses mainly on areas where significant new information is available like alcohol-associated liver disease, NAFLD, viral hepatitis, and HCC. We also devote a separate section to the burden of liver disease in Africa, an area of the world typically neglected in such documents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshad Devarbhavi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - Sumeet K Asrani
- Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott and White, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Juan Pablo Arab
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University & London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yvonne Ayerki Nartey
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Elisa Pose
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, United States
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Abza GB, Ahmed JH, Yesufe AA, Seife E, Erkie M, Spriet I, Chelkeba L, Annaert P. Clinicopathological Features and Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Ethiopia: A Multicenter Study. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010193. [PMID: 36612189 PMCID: PMC9818669 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers globally, killing over 700,000 people each year. Despite the rising incidence and mortality rates of HCC in Ethiopia, only few single-centered studies have been conducted; therefore, we aimed to explore the clinicopathological characteristics and survival of patients with HCC in multicenter settings. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 369 patients with confirmed HCC diagnosed between 2016 and 2021. The survival of patients weas determined using the Kaplan−Meier method, and hazard ratios of the prognostic factors were estimated in Cox proportional hazard models. (3) Results: Majority patients were male (67%) and had a mean age of 52.0 ± 15.6 years. The majority of patients (87%) had a large tumor size (>5 cm) at diagnosis and presented with an advanced-stage condition. Cirrhosis (58%) and viral hepatitis (46.5%) were the main risk factors associated with HCC. The median overall survival was 141 days (95% CI: 117−165). Patients who took antivirals for HBV had a higher survival benefit compared to the untreated group (469 vs. 104 days; p < 0.001). The risk of death was 12 times higher in patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-D (BCLC-D) terminal stage HCC compared to patients with an early stage (BCLC-A) HCC. The stage of HCC and treatment against HBV are the most significant survival predictors. (4) Conclusions: The overall survival of HCC patients in Ethiopia is poor. Cirrhosis and viral hepatitis are the primary risk factors linked with HCC. Patients who received antiviral therapy for HBV had a better survival outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getahun Befirdu Abza
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Jimma University, Jimma P.O.Box 378, Ethiopia
| | - Jemal Hussien Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Jimma University, Jimma P.O.Box 378, Ethiopia
| | - Abdu Adem Yesufe
- Adult Oncology Unit, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Edom Seife
- Department of Radiotherapy and Adult Oncology, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Mengistu Erkie
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Isabel Spriet
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, KU Leuven Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Legese Chelkeba
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
| | - Pieter Annaert
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-16-33-03-03
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Tassachew Y, Abebe T, Belyhun Y, Teffera T, Shewaye AB, Desalegn H, Andualem H, Kinfu A, Mulu A, Mihret A, Howe R, Aseffa A. Prevalence of HIV and Its Co-Infection with Hepatitis B/C Virus Among Chronic Liver Disease Patients in Ethiopia. Hepat Med 2022; 14:67-77. [PMID: 35591850 PMCID: PMC9113656 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s365443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The efficient use of antiretroviral drugs has significantly reduced AIDS-related morbidities and mortalities; however, mortality due to non-AIDS-related end-stage liver diseases is escalating in those living with HIV. Objective The study was designed to determine the prevalence of HIV and its co-infection with HBV and HCV among chronic liver disease (CLD) patients in Ethiopia. Methods Three hundred and forty-five CLD patients were included in this study in two groups: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n=128) and non-HCC (n=217) patients. The non-HCC group comprised patients with advanced liver disease (n=98) and chronic hepatitis (n=119). Enzyme immunoassays were used to determine HBV and HCV infection markers. In addition, a serial rapid HIV testing algorithm was employed to screen HIV infection. Results Regardless of the stage of liver disease, the overall frequency of HIV was 4.3% (15/345), with a 2% (7/345) and 0.3% (1/345) of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infection rate. Of all HIV-infected patients (n=15), 46.7% (7/15) and 6.7% (1/15) were co-infected with HBV (HBsAg+HBcAb+) and HCV (anti-HCV+ HCV-RNA+), respectively, and 86.7% (13/15) exhibited a marker of HBV exposure (total HBcAb+). Overall, the frequency of HIV and its co-infection with HBV was more noticeable among HCC than non-HCC patients [8.6% (11/128) vs 1.8 (4/217), p=0.005 and 3.9% (5/128) vs 0.9% (2/217), p=0.1]. The rate of HIV mono-infection was 3.9% (5/128) vs 0.9% (2/217) among HCC and non-HCC patients. Conclusion The frequency of HIV and its co-infections with HBV/HCV exhibited an increasing pattern with the severity of the liver disease. Thus, screening all HIV-positive patients for HBV and HCV infection and all CLD patients for HIV infection and taking necessary preventive measures would be an essential strategy to prevent the progression of CLD and death related to liver disease in people living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayehyirad Tassachew
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Tamrat Abebe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yeshambel Belyhun
- School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tezazu Teffera
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Abate Bane Shewaye
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Adera Medical Center PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Hailemichael Desalegn
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Henok Andualem
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Abiy Kinfu
- Ethiopian National Blood Bank Service, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Adane Mihret
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rawleigh Howe
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abraham Aseffa
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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