Therapeutic Route of Patients with Cirrhosis in Bangui

Introduction: Cirrhosis is the final stage in the development of any chronic liver disease. The objective of our study was to determine the therapeutic route of patients with cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: This was a one-year cross-sectional study of consenting patients of both sexes with cirrhosis who were hospitalized for the first time. The study took place from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on clinical, biological and morphological arguments. Results: In total, 1028 patients were hospitalized, including 202 for cirrhosis (19.6%). One hundred and four patients (10.1%) met our inclusion criteria. These were 70 men (67.3%) and 34 women (32.7%). The sex ratio was 2.05. The average age was 43.74 ± 13.74 years. In 68 cases (65.4%), cirrhosis was considered a supernatural disease and in 36 cases (34.6%) was a natural disease. At the first signs, 88 patients (84.6%) had consulted (traditional healer in 34 cases, pastor in 25 cases, marabout in 16 cases and general practitioner in 13 cases). The pastor prayed to 25 patients (24%). The traditional healer made the patients ingest herbal preparations (n = 18), associated or not with scarification (n = 4) and/or enema (n = 28). The marabout recited Quranic verses written on a board, then washed and ingested in 16 cases (15.4%). The general practitioner prescribed treatment to the 13 patients (12.5%). The various treatments received had led to hepatic encephalopathy (21 cases), digestive hemorrhage (15 cases), abdominal pain (3 cases), jaundice (3 cases), increased abdominal bloating (21 cases). The patients had consulted the specialist within an average of 74 ± 15.3 days. The average time to hospital was 21 days ± 13. Conclusion: Cirrhosis is diagnosed at the complication stage due to inappropriate treatment by pastors, marabouts and the general practitioner. The population must be made aware of the early use of health care facilities.