PWE-082 Genetic variants in CYP2D6 and the propensity to chronic liver disease in men chewing khat

Abstract

Conclusions The evolution in CLIF-SOFA score between D2 and D5/7 is superior to evolution in other scores and scores assessed at single time points when predicting 90 day survival. The delta C-SOFA at D5 and D7 are comparable, thus delta C-SOFA D2-D5 may be used to guide therapeutic decisions.

Khat-related liver disease in sub-Saharan Africa: neglected, yet important – Authors' reply

“…Additional research is necessary to establish the prevalence of liver toxicity in people who chew khat in Ethiopia versus Djibouti (where liver toxicity is apparently not observed) 6 and Yemen (which has the highest proportion of users worldwide), 7 and in Kenya, Uganda, and Madagascar, where studies have not been done. Also necessary is investigating the mechanisms and progression of liver damage induced by khat, the effects of gender (khat toxicity is observed much more frequently in males) 8 and genetics (genetic variants in CYP2D6 might play a role in liver toxicity), 9 and the contribution of other compounds found in khat and of contaminating herbicides and pesticides to liver disease. 10 Current evidence shows that hepatitis viruses and alcohol are the main contributors to the incidence of liver cirrhosis throughout sub-Saharan Africa 1 and efforts should continue to curb their effects.…”