The role of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Sudan.
In Sudan, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high and increasing. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are important risk factors of HCC. This study aims to assess the role of HBV and HCV infections in the incidence of HCC in 2 regions of Sudan. A case-control study was conducted in 1996-98 among 150 HCC patients and 205 controls from 2 regions in Sudan. Their demographic characteristics as well as food habits and chronic conditions have been investigated. In this study, 115 cases and 199 controls were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for HCV antibodies. Strong positive associations were found between HBV or HCV, and HCC with odds ratios (ORs) 9.8 (95% CI 5.1-18.9) and 8.3 (95% CI 2.3-29.9), respectively. After adjustment for age, by logistic regression, the ORs for HBV and HCV were 16.1 (95% CI 7.4-34.9) and 4.5 (95% CI 1.1-18.6), respectively. Further adjustment for region, education level and job type did not appreciably affect the results. Given a prevalence of HBV and HCV of 7.0% and 1.5% among controls, about 57% of all HCC cases can be attributed to these viral infections. Hepatitis infections seem to be important risk factors for HCC in Sudan.
Omer
R E
RE
Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Van't Veer
P
P
Kadaru
A M
AM
Kampman
E
E
el Khidir
I M
IM
Fedail
S S
SS
Kok
F J
FJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology