Abstract

Background: Liver cancer poses a significant health challenge worldwide, but its burden in low Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) countries remains understudied. These countries face unique obstacles, including limited healthcare resources, inadequate screening programs, and a higher prevalence of risk factors like hepatitis B and C. Liver cancer has become a pressing public health issue, impacting individuals, communities, and healthcare systems in low SDI countries. This abstract explores the total burden of liver cancer in these regions, focusing on epidemiological trends, etiology, and the disease's impact on morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic factors. Understanding these challenges can guide interventions, prevention efforts, and resource allocation to alleviate the burden of liver cancer and improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Methods: This study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019), which assesses disease burden and risk factors across 204 countries and territories. We extracted data on liver cancer incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from low SDI countries between 2010 and 2019. Various statistical techniques were employed to address data heterogeneity, and a Bayesian geospatial regression analysis was used to estimate liver cancer-related mortality. The study included comprehensive stratification by country, sex, and year, and proportional models were applied to determine the contribution of different etiologies to liver cancer cases.

Results: The burden of liver cancer in low SDI countries increased in incidence and DALYs from 2010 to 2019, with a higher prevalence observed among males. Alcohol-related liver cancer cases continued to rise, predominantly affecting males. The incidence rate remained stable in females, but DALYs increased. Hepatitis B-related liver cancer showed a declining trend, with decreasing rates in both incidence and deaths. Hepatitis C-related liver cancer also decreased, but males had a higher frequency of deaths despite females being the most affected. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related liver cancer cases increased significantly, particularly among females. Other causes of liver cancer demonstrated an upward trend in frequency (Image).

Conclusion: This study provides insights into the burden of liver cancer in low SDI countries, highlighting different etiologies. The overall burden of liver cancer is decreasing, particularly for hepatitis B and C cases. However, viral hepatitis cases still lack adequate treatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent liver cirrhosis and cancer. Metabolic-related liver cancer, including NASH, is a growing concern globally and in low SDI countries. Prevention and control strategies specific to these regions are crucial to reducing the burden of liver cancer.

Ref: https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/.