Retrospective Analysis of Liver Disease: Pattern and Associated Risk Factors among Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sana’a City, Yemen

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pediatric department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

2 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a , Yemen

3 Department of Medicine University of Sciences and Technology Hospital

4 Department of Pediatrics Al-Sabeen Hospital

Abstract

Background: Liver disease is a major global health burden with diverse etiologies and serious complications. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the most common types of liver disease and associated risk factors in Yemen and describe their clinical and laboratory findings.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Science and Technology Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen, from January 2020 to December 2024, using 1906 patient records. Data on demographics, risk factors, clinical presentations, laboratory, and sonographic findings were collected and analyzed.

Results: Among 1,906 patients with liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis was the most common diagnosis (41.4%), followed by lupus hepatitis (26.7%). A male predominance was observed across all hepatitis types, particularly in hepatitis C (92.9%). The majority aged less than 34 years, especially for hepatitis C (71.4%). Clinically, jaundice was the most frequent symptom (37.3%). Elevated AST and ALT were reported in 59.1% and 49.2% of patients, respectively. Hepatic echogenicity (51.5%) and hepatomegaly (24.2%) were the most common sonographic findings. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with an increased risk of hepatitis B (P=0.006), while khat chewing and autoimmune thyroiditis were significantly associated with increased risks of both lupus hepatitis (P<0.001 and P=0.010) and autoimmune hepatitis (P<0.001 and P=0.021).

Conclusions: Autoimmune and lupus hepatitis are the predominant forms of liver disease in Yemen, significantly associated with khat chewing and autoimmune thyroiditis. These findings highlight the need for early detection and targeted interventions.

Keywords: Liver disease; Risk factors; Autoimmune hepatitis; Lupus hepatitis; Khat chewing.

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Zagazig University Medical Journal
Volume 31, Issue 11
November 2025
Pages 5323-5334

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