Epidemiology and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in the Internal Medicine Department of the Bouake University Hospital (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

Background and Objective : Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a public health problem due to its high incidence and high mortality rate. The epidemiology and prognosis of this disease is poorly documented in Bouake. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological aspects and identify the predictors of death in patients hospitalized for HCC in the Internal Medicine Department of the Bouake University Hospital in order to improve patient management. Material and Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022 in the Internal Medicine Department of Bouake University Hospital, involving 160 patients. Results : The prevalence of HCC was 3.6%, the mean age was 48.86 ± 14.5 years with extremes of 14 and 90 years and the sex ratio was 2.90. Viral hepatitis B was observed in 81% of patients, with HBs Ag positivity in 71.2%. The performance status of WHO was ≥ 2 in 93.2% of cases. HCC was discovered at advanced stage respectively in 51% for BCLC C and 47.8% for BCLC D stage. The nodules were multiple (89.3%), and superior to 3 cm. The hospital mortality was 20% and BCLC D stage of HCC was significantly associated with death (p = 0.04) in the univariate analysis. The BCLC D stage of HCC was significantly associated with death. Length of stay inferior to 5 days (OR = 0.77; CI 95: 0.61 - 0.96) and hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 1.39; CI 95: 1.10 - 1.77), were the two independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion : HCC mainly affected young men infected with chronic viral hepatitis B. Short length of stay and hepatic encephalopathy were independent predictors of mortality.