| [ Summary ] |
There is a paucity of information regarding worldwide changes in the epidemiological distribution of the etiology of liver cirrhosis (LC). The etiology of LC in Japan as studied through nationwide surveys is described. The etiological agents and their frequency were as follows : hepatitis B virus (HBV) 12-14 %, hepatitis C virus (HCV), approximate-ly 60 %, alcohol, approximately 15 %, primary biliary cirrhosis, 2.0-2.5 %, and autoimmune hepatitis, 1.5-2.0 %. Cirrhosis which was considered to be related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was implicated in 2.1 % of the cases in the 2008 survey and in 4.0 % in the 2011 survey. The percentage of HCV-related LC was higher in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to those without, HCC, whereas the percentages of alcohol related PBC, AIH were lower. The ratio of non-B, non-C cirrhosis has increased in recent surveys. In conclusion, the major etiology contributing to LC in Japan remains HCV. However, the percentage of non-B, non-C cirrhosis, especially NASH-related LC in Japan is increasing. |