Prevalence of chronic liver disease among Assiut cement company employees, Egypt

Abstract EN

Chronic liver disease represent a major health problem in different parts of the world.

Egypt is an endemic area for both viral hepatitis and schistosomiasis resulting in a high morbidity and mortality from chronic liver disease.

his work was designed to study the prevalence of hepatitis markers and CLD among a healthy group of population.

The employees of Assiut Cement Company were selected as they represent the general population and their job and exposure to cement and its constituent does not entail hepato-toxicity.

Over a period of 4 years.

2450 employees were evaluated clinically, biochemically, ultrasonographically and serologically for evidence of hepatic insults.

Anti-HCV was positive in 749 (30%) ofthe studied population.

It was detected alone in 236 (31.5%) of subjects, in combination with HBs Ag in 34 (4.5%), with anti-HBs Ag in 97 (13%), with anti-HBc (IgG) in 153 (20.4%) and in combination with both anti-HBs and anti-HBc in 229 (30.6%).

The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was significantly correlated with age, marital status, residence, socio-economic status, educational level, circumcision and schistosomal infection and parenteral therapy.

PCR was positive in 81 (57.4%) out of 141 random sample of anti-HCV positive subjects.

Hepatitis BsAg was detected in 132 (5.4%), anti-HBs alone in 222 (9%), and anti-HBC in 741 (30.2%), so, serological evidence of previous exposure to HBV was detected in 1424(58.1%).

Regarding anti-HDV, 72 (54.5%) were positive for IgM anti-HD, IgG anti-HD or both.

Based on adopted diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of CLD the studied population were classified as normal, carriers, suspected liver disease SLD and CLD (44%, 21.8%, 30.2% and 3.8% respectively).

It was noticed that hepatic insults were found in more than half of the subjects (55.9%) which seems to be a higher percentage among apparently healthy subjects.

Physical signs suggestive of CLD were uncommon in the cohort.

Follow-up of subjects labelled as SLD is highly recommended to evaluated their outcome in the next years.