Spectrum of chronic liver disease in a tertiary care hospital.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the nature and etiology of the chronic liver disease occurring in the northern part of Pakistan. METHODS: Results of the liver biopsies performed at Shifa International Hospital from 1994-2000 were reviewed. The reason for the biopsy and results were noted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 518 liver biopsies were performed during this period. Most patients were between the ages of 31-50 years (range 10-70 years). Males and females were equal. Three hundred fifty four (68.3%) patients had chronic hepatitis. Of these 86% had hepatitis C, 10.7% hepatitis B and 3.1% both B and C. Of 41 (7.9%) hepatocellular carcinomas, 29.3% were due to hepatitis C and 14% due to hepatitis B virus infection. Etiology was not known in 53% cases of HCC. Other categories included chronic hepatitis with early cirrhosis (4.8%), cirrhosis (3.1%), adenocarcinoma (4.6%) and other miscellaneous conditions. CONCLUSION: Chronic hepatitis C makes the largest percentage in this series of cases followed by hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and metastatic adenocarcinoma as causes of chronic liver disease in this part of Pakistan.