Background Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) constitute a major global health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden of decompensated chronic liver disease (DCLD) remains high. This study examined the socio-economic and clinical determinants of survival duration among DCLD decedents in North Eastern Nigeria over an 18-year period, from 2006 to 2024. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 561 patients with DCLD managed at two tertiary hospitals in Adamawa and Gombe states was conducted between 2006 and 2024. Socio-economic, clinical, and behavioural variables were extracted from medical records and analyzed using a Generalized Gamma regression model to evaluate their association with survival time from diagnosis to death. Results The median survival time was 72 days, and 81.82% of patients died within six months of diagnosis. Married individuals had significantly longer survival than divorced individuals (Time ratio (TR)=2.306, p=0.025), whereas those in the medium-income group had 28% shorter survival than those in the low-income group (TR=0.722, p=0.044). Patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis had improved survival compared to those with primary liver cell carcinoma of viral origin and other types of non-alcohol related DCLDs (TR=2.955, p<0.001). Survival was also significantly longer among military/paramilitary personnel and students than corporate employees. Conclusion In this study, the exceptionally low median survival highlights the urgent need for improved access to healthcare, early screening, and liver transplantation services in resource-limited settings. Addressing social determinants of health, increasing public health education, and subsidizing antiviral treatments could enhance survival outcomes for DCLD patients in Nigeria.
Stephen et al. (Mon,) studied this question.