Hepatitis Infections, Related Hepatic Disorders and Correlated Efficacy of Alphafeto Protein Estimation

The purpose of the presented study here was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C and B infections in patients diagnosed with or suspected of hepatic carcinoma or any other co-morbid with the objective of correlating diagnostic efficacy of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The study covers the period of January 1998 to January 2008. Study requirements such as medical history, reports and related information of patients from both genders (n = 93) with 50 males and 43 females were gathered for analysis and assessment ensuring that diagnostic confirmation of HCC existed with lab test of alpha-feto proteins available. Results shows the distribution analysis of hepatitis infections, the related co-morbid, the high-level AFP results and positive hepatitis profile as; hepatic carcinoma with HCV origin 33.33% (n = 31) and with HBV origin 41.93% (n = 39). For HCC of cirrhotic origin only, 10.75% (n = 10) was noted with no-infection whereas HCC of chronic liver disease [CLD] was around 13.97% (n = 13). As per medical setting (e.g. cirrhosis and chronic liver disease) and hepatic infections (B and C), 50 males patients were segregated as carcinoma patients with HCV and HBV, n = 15 and 24, whereas with cirrhosis and CLD, 6 and 5 respectively. Forty three female patients were also segregated in similar manner, thus resulting in groups of N = 14, 17, 5 and 7, respectively for HCV and HBV related carcinoma and non-malignant co-morbid such as cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. Regarding AFP levels, in males, 10.00% (n = 10) patients have AFP in the highest range of > 300.00 to < 768.00 ng/ml in HCV group; 46.00% (n = 23) in the range of > 150 to < 300 ng/ml in HBV and cirrhosis groups and 8% (n = 4) in the range of >300 to <520 ng/ml in HBV alone group. In females, 20.90% (n = 9) showed AFP ranges between >300 to 612 ng/ml in HCV group; and 18.60% (n = 8) in range of >150 to <300 ng/ml in HBV and CLD groups. Nonetheless the present studies neither irrevocably instate direct correlation between presence of hepatitis infections and formation of HCC nor ascertain that hepatitis infection were the ‘only’ cause of HCC. However efficacy of AFP has been found to be significant as a diagnostic tool where HCC was related to the hepatitis infections. The analytical data which was assessed after combining all factors is demonstrated here according to medical conditions diagnosed, risk factors obtained and the etiological factors related to the carcinoma and alpha-feto protein concentration characteristics.

Author(s): Junaid Mahmood Alam, Sikandar Khan Sherwani, Ishrat Sultana, Amna Hussain, Uzma Jabeen and Syed Riaz Mahmood

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