Observations on hepatic disease in the Gold Coast: With special reference to cirrhosis

Abstract

The incidence of portal cirrhosis is relatively high in autopsy material in the Southern Gold Coast. It is common in the third and fourth decades, and males would appear to be more frequently affected than females. The validity of these findings and the possibility of reconciling them with the theory that malnutrition and/or malarial infestation in childhood is responsible for cirrhosis in the adult is discussed. The incidence of primary liver cancer is also high whereas cholecystitis and gall stones are infrequently seen.