GALAD Score for the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Validation Study in Ghanaian Patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide including sub-Saharan Africa. The GALAD score, derived from Gender, Age, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha fetoprotein, Alpha fetoprotein, and Des-carboxy-prothrombin, has high accuracy in diagnosing HCC in Asia, Europe, and North America; however, it has not been validated in an African cohort. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the GALAD score in the diagnosis of HCC in sub-Saharan Africa.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana: A Study of Prevalence, Severity, and Contributing Factors Using Transient Elastography.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and pancreatic islet cell dysfunction. T2DM is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because of impaired glucose metabolism in both conditions. However, it is widely assumed that people with T2DM in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have a lower prevalence of NAFLD than in other parts of the world.

The Analysis of Human Epidermal Growth Receptor-2 (HER-2) in Gastric Cancer in a Tertiary Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: In Ghana, gastric cancer contributes significantly to cancer morbidity and mortality. However, the recent usage of HER-2 monoclonal antibody in combination with chemotherapy has greatly improved the overall survival of patients. This study, therefore, aims at evaluating the pattern of HER-2 over expression in gastric carcinomas in Kumasi, Ghana.

Ambulatory end-stage liver disease in Ghana; patient profile and utility of alpha fetoprotein and aspartate aminotransferase: platelet ratio index.

Background: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is a major burden on public health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important risk factor. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics of ESLD from cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the performance of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-platelet ratio index (APRI) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in Ghana.

Methods: We performed an observational cross-sectional study in outpatient hepatology clinics at three teaching hospitals in Ghana, West Africa.

Nutritional management of cirrhosis patients: A qualitative study exploring perceptions of patients and health workers in Ghana.

Background And Aims: Malnutrition is common among patients with end stage liver disease including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Optimal nutrition is important to reduce morbidity and mortality of these patients. There is limited qualitative data on nutritional status and management of chronic liver disease patients.

Hepatitis B At-Birth Dose Vaccine: An Urgent Call for Implementation in Ghana.

Globally, approximately two billion people are infected with the Hepatitis B virus with attributable death estimated at about half a million people annually across the globe. Chronic hepatitis B infection is also an important public health problem in Ghana. The main mode of transmission in endemic regions is the perinatal route.