Incidence and Factors associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis Patients at Chaophrayayommaraj Hospital

Abstract

Cirrhosis is a chronic disease. The incidence and mortality tend to increase annually. The cause of death and complication is often associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, the author aimed to study the incidence and factors influencing hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis patients to improve the treatment system. This retrospective study collected electronic medical records of 200 cirrhosis patients from January 2021 to December 2022. Their characteristics including age, sex, underlying diseases, symptoms, treatment, and complications which were analyzed to find out relations and risk factors between the two groups, HCC and non- HCC patients, by using Chi-square and Logistic regression analysis.

76 out of 200 cirrhosis patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (38%). The study found that the majority of the patients were male (63.5%). The mean age was 60.1±11.2 years. Factors associated with HCC were male (aOR, 2.68; 95%CI= 1.06-5.34; P=0.04), aged over 60 years (aOR, 3.89; 95%CI= 1.1-3.34; P=0.02), hepatitis B infection (aOR, 3.11; 95%CI= 1.31-7.46; P<0.001), palpable liver mass (aOR, 2.1; 95%CI= 1.18-6.24; P=0.04), internal medicine (aOR, 2.17; 95%CI= 1.12-14.83; P=0.04), supportive treatment (aOR, 3.82; 95%CI= 1.73-12.52; P<0.001), and no HCC screening (aOR, 3.82; 95%CI= 1.61-9.2; P=0.01). Moreover, the protective factor associated with HCC was gastroenterologist (aOR, 0.02; 95%CI= 0.01-0.06; P<0.001).

The incidence of HCC in cirrhosis patients was found similar to other hospitals. Male gender, aged over 60 years, Hepatitis B infection, palpable liver mass, Internal medicine, and no HCC screening were significantly risk factors of HCC in cirrhosis patients. Therefore, proper management and close monitoring of patients with these characteristics could prevent and alleviate disease progression.