HBs Ag and antibodies to hepatitis C virus in complicated chronic liver disease in Gabon. A case control study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of HBs Ag and anti-HCV antibodies are high in the general population in Gabon. The aim of this study was to perform a case control study to determine the role of hepatitis B and C viruses in decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Between October 1990 and June 1998, HBs Ag and anti-HCV antibodies were investigated in 1 204 newly hospitalized patients. Sixty-seven had decompensated cirrhosis, 38 had hepatocellular carcinoma and six an association of both diseases. Prevalences were compared with those in a group of 527 sex and age matched controls from the same cohort. RESULTS: HBs Ag prevalence among cases was 35.1% (decompensated cirrhosis: 34.2%; hepatocellular carcinoma: 40.5%) and 12.5% among controls. Anti-HCV were detected in 32.4% of cases (decompensated cirrhosis: 34.2%; hepatocellular carcinoma: 28.6%) and in 20.1% of controls. Complicated chronic liver disease was linked to HBs Ag (OR=11.3; IC: 4.8-26.7; cirrhosis: OR=18; IC: 5.3-61.5; hepatocellular carcinoma: OR=8.3; IC: 2.5-27.8) in patients from 15 to 34 years old. Above 45 years, complicated chronic liver disease was linked to anti-HCV antibodies (OR=2.9; IC: 1.6-5.3; cirrhosis: OR=2.8; IC: 1.4-5.8; hepatocellular carcinoma: OR=3.2; IC: 1.1-9.5). CONCLUSION: Both Hepatitis B and C viruses are linked to complicated chronic liver disease in Gabon in an age-dependent manner.