988P - Burden of primary liver cancer in the Middle East and North Africa Region from 1990 to 2019

Background

Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. There is a literature gap regarding its burden in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the epidemiological trends of primary liver cancer in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

The Global Burden of Disease database was used to extract the age-standardized rates per 100,000 population for prevalence (ASRP), incidence (ASRI), and years lived with disability (YLDs) of primary liver cancer in the MENA region between 1990 and 2019. Data were analyzed to identify regional distribution patterns across different countries and demographic groups using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

ASRP for liver cancer in the MENA region was significantly higher in 2019 compared to 1990 (median of 4.34 and 5.38 in 1990 and 2019, respectively; P= 0.002). The major causes of primary liver cancer were hepatitis C virus, followed by hepatitis B virus, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and alcohol use. In 2019, the highest ASRP was observed in Qatar (24.894; 95% confidence interval (CI): 18.34-33.24) and Egypt (22.575; 95% CI: 16.20-30.90), while Morocco had the lowest one (2.21; 95% CI: 1.68-2.70). On the other hand, no significant increase was observed from 1990 to 2019 for the ASRI (median of 4.26 and 4.49 in 1990 and 2019, respectively, P = 0.498) and YLDs (median of 0.96 and 1.04 in 1990 and 2019, respectively, P = 0.079).

Conclusions

The prevalence of liver cancer shows a rising trend in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019. Adopting regional programs to address the major risk factors should be considered.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.