Etiological Profile of Chronic Liver Disease: An Experience from Northern India

Abstract

Introduction: In present age of globalization, etiological differences in disease profiles are getting narrower between different regions of world. However there are still regions were etiological profile of diseases is quite different for given particular disease that demands scrutiny from time to time so as to develop and update clinical acumen’s for correct clinical diagnosis and management of that public health problem. Chronic liver disease (CLD) is an emerging epidemic that is projected to pose enormous challenge to us in near future. So to study its various aspects from time to time is of utmost importance. Aims and objective: To study etiological profile in cases of chronic liver disease in our region.Materials and Methods: This observational prospective study was carried out in Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Government Medical College; Srinagar: India over period of two years in 2018- 2020. Patients with documented CLD or diagnosed CLD on admission followed by complete etiological workup were included in study.Results: Over 2 year’s period, 246 patients were enrolled. Mean age of patients was 57.09 ± 13.90 years. Hepatitis B virus is a major etiological contributor to the burden of CLD amounting to 28% in Kashmir with Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)not so far behind at 23%. Whereas Alcohol related CLD disease is almost non-existent.Conclusion: Our region has etiologic profile in CLD unique in a sense that chronichepatitis B is leading contributor of CLD burden whereas Alcohol related CLD is rare in this region. Most patients were presenting at advanced stages signifying need of sensitizing people for emerging epidemic of CLD.