SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC, CLINICAL, AND LIFESTYLE RISK FACTORS OF HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

This study conducted at a tertiary care hospital aimed to explore the socio-demographic factors, clinical symptoms, and risk factors associated with liver cirrhosis among 59 patients. The results highlighted that older age (51.69% above 61 years) and male gender (70.34%) were the most prominent risk factors, aligning with global trends, particularly in patients with NAFLD and NASH. Additionally, lower education levels were common in the affected population, indicating a need for educational interventions to reduce liver disease risk. The study identified alcoholism as the primary risk factor, with 15.7 times higher odds (OR = 15.700, p = 2.54e-09) of developing cirrhosis. Smoking also contributed to the risk (OR = 4.38, p = 0.001), although multivariate analysis showed no significant association. Other factors like infections, fast food consumption, and comorbidities showed weaker associations, while alcoholism remained a key risk factor in the multivariate analysis (OR = 20.7, p < 0.001). Hepatotoxic medications (OR = 2.170, p = 0.109) and obesity (34% of patients had BMI ≥ 30) were additional risk factors. The study emphasizes the need for early detection and risk-adapted treatments such as alcohol cessation, weight reduction, and dietary modifications to manage cirrhosis. Public health strategies should focus on reducing alcohol consumption and promoting healthier lifestyles. The study also suggests further research on genetic risk factors like PNPLA3 polymorphisms to better understand individual susceptibility to alcohol-induced liver damage. However, the study’s hospital-based setting limits its generalizability, particularly for patients in earlier stages of cirrhosis.