Abstract

EFFECTS OF KHAT CHEWING ON PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS: OBSERVATIONAL STUDYMILITARY HOSPITAL, SANA'A. YEMEN

Akram Yahya Al Haj*, Ahmed Kaid Salem, Yahya Alazy, Ashjan Hassan Alwazeer*, Amin Abdulrab

Abstract

Background: Khat is a natural stimulant from the Catha edulis plant, which grows mainly in Yemen and Africa. The liver has been suspected to be vulnerable to the harmful effects of khat use. Aim of the Study: To detect the effect of khat chewing habit on autoimmune hepatitis among patients Presented into the Military hospital, Sana’a, Yemen. Study design: This study was a cross-sectional, prospective, observational study. Study setting: The study was conducted in the Military Hospital Sana’a – Yemen throughout one and half year (from February 1st 2017 to July. 31st 2018). Patients and Methods: All patients presented to hospital diagnosed as autoimmune hepatitis during the study period were enrolled in this study. All patients subjected to clinical examination and detailed history. Family history of autoimmune diseases was also recorded. Biochemical and liver function were testes in every patient using standard automated techniques. Serological tests for Autoantibodies Antinuclear Antibody (ANA), Anti-smooth Muscle Antibody (ASMA), were done using the standard immunofluorescence technique. Results: A total number of the patients presented with hepatitis were 652. Of these 100 (15.3%) presented with autoimmune hepatitis. The average age of these patients was 28.5 ± 5.1 years and the most frequently affected age (43%) was between 20-30 years. The majority of patients were male 75 only and only 25 patients were females. The most frequent clinical presentation was jaundice found in 29% and abdominal pain found in 19%. 40 patients (40%) had liver cirrhosis 23 cases (23%) were in liver fibrosis. during hospitalization, 61 patients (61%) of the patients responded fully to treatment while 34% of patients partially responded, 3 patients only did not respond to treatment and hospital mortality were 2%. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the autoimmune hepatitis is not uncommon disease in our setting. Khat chewing habit for long duration could be the trigger factor for autoimmune hepatitis.

Keywords: Autoimmune hepatitis; Khat chewing; Sana’a; Yemen.