Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on the aetiology of cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma in three affiliated hospitals in southern Belgium.
In a consecutive series of 411 patients with cirrhosis attending the outpatient liver clinics of 3 general hospitals located in the southern part of Belgium, hepatitis C virus infection accounted for 20% of the cases, far behind alcohol (63%). However, in a consecutive series of 57 hepatocarcinoma superimposed on cirrhosis, hepatitis C virus infection was the main aetiological factor accounting for 44% of the cases.
Henrion
J
J
Hôpital de Jolimont, B-7100 Haine St Paul, Belgium.
De Maeght
S
S
Deltenre
P
P
Ghilain
J M
JM
Maisin
J M
JM
Schapira
M
M
Heller
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D017678:Sex Distribution