Factors Associated with Surveillance for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Background: The minimal number of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients diagnosed through surveillance is proposed as the cause of persistently low number of survival. It is important to identify the proportion of surveillance for early detection of HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis and related factors. This study aimed to determine the proportion of surveillance for early detection of HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis and related factors. Method: A cross-sectional study of patients with liver cirrhosis at RSCM from January to December 2013. The data was obtained from medical records and confirmed by telephone. Surveillance was required for abdominal ultrasound with or without AFP at least once a year within 3 years after that period. Factors studied were gender, ethnicity, education level, income level, availability of medical insurance, location of residence, surveillance education, cirrhosis aetiology, and severity of cirrhosis. Then, logistic regression test was used in the multivariate analysis. Results: From 200 patients, 50 patients (25,0%) underwent surveillance, 150 patients (75,0%) did not. Bivariate analysis revealed 4 variables with p < 0.25, gender (p = 0,056), ethnicity (p = 0, 231), surveillance education (p = 0,005), and severity of cirrhosis (p = 0, 005). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for surveillance were surveillance education (OR = 2,598; CI 95% (1,325 - 5,094), p = 0,005) and severity of cirrhosis (OR = 1.815; CI 95% = 1,210-2,724; p = 0,004). Conclusion: Surveillance education and severity of cirrhosis were the factors associated with surveillance for early detection of HCC in liver cirrhosis patients.