The prevalence and associated factors of viral hepatitis and cryptogenic related hepatocellular carcinoma at King Abdulaziz Medical city-Riyadh

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, viral hepatitis is the major risk factor for HCC with hepatitis B (HBV) being more than hepatitis C (HCV). Saudi Arabia is one of the endemic areas of viral hepatitis. Cryptogenic HCC is thought to arias from unknown causes of liver cancers. Thus, the purpose of this study was to find the prevalence of viral and cryptogenic HCC in King Abdulaziz Medical City-Riyadh (KAMC-R).Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all HCC patients diagnosed between 2010 to 2017 at KAMC-R. Information regarding age, gender, comorbidity, alcohol consumption, serology tests, liver enzymes, body mass index, model for end-stage liver disease score, alpha-fetoprotein and Child-Turcotte-Pugh score were included. The Chi-square test was used to determine the differences between categorical data. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Total of 294 patients with HCC charts were reviewed. HCV and HBV were found in 42.85% and 20.74% of the patients, respectively. Co-infection with HBV and HCV were reported in 1.7% whereas cryptogenic HCC was found in 32.65% of the patients. High BMI and DLP were noticeably higher in cryptogenic group (p=0.045 and p=0.022 respectively). Multiple lesions were noticed more in HCV group whereas single lesion was more in the cryptogenic group (p=0.0343). Also, large lesions (>5 cm) were remarkably found more in cryptogenic HCC whereas small lesions were more in HCV group (p=0.006).Conclusions: Hepatitis C was the major risk factor associated with HCC, followed by Cryptogenic HCC. High BMI and DLP were common features of cryptogenic HCC.