The role of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Sudan

In Sudan, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high and incre asing. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are important ri sk factors of HCC. This study aims to assess the role of HBV and HCV infect ions in the incidence of HCC in 2 regions of Sudan. A case-control study wa s conducted in 1996-98 among 150 HCC patients and 205 controls from 2 regio ns in Sudan. Their demographic characteristics as well as food habits and c hronic conditions have been investigated. In this study, 115 cases and 199 controls were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for HCV an tibodies. Strong positive associations were found between HBV or HCV, and H CC with odds ratios (ORs) 9.8 (95% CI 5.1-18.9) and 8.3 (95% CI 2.3-29.9), respectively. After adjustment for age, by logistic regression, the ORs for HBV and HCV were 16.1 (95% CI 7.4-34.9) and 4.5 (95% CI 1.1-18.6), respect ively. Further adjustment for region, education level and job type did not appreciably affect the results. Given a prevalence of HBV and HCV of 7.0% a nd 1.5% among controls, about 57% of all HCC cases can be attributed to the se viral infections. Hepatitis infections seem to be important risk factors for HCC in Sudan.