Determinants of Survival among Nigerian Patients with Decompensated Chronic Liver Diseases: An 18-Year Retrospective Review

Roland I. Stephen; Jennifer Tyndall; Jamiu Olumoh; Jimmy Reyes; Usman Malabu; Kefas P. Zawaya; Nura Umaru; Ibrahim Bello Boslam; Victory Inyang; Oyelola Adeboye

doi:10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03481

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Determinants of Survival among Nigerian Patients with Decompensated Chronic Liver Diseases: An 18-Year Retrospective Review

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Determinants of Survival among Nigerian Patients with Decompensated Chronic Liver Diseases: An 18-Year Retrospective Review

Roland I. Stephen, Jennifer Tyndall, Jamiu Olumoh, Jimmy Reyes, Usman Malabu, Kefas P. Zawaya, Nura Umaru, Ibrahim Bello Boslam, Victory Inyang and Oyelola Adeboye

Scientific African, Vol.33, e03481

09/2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03481

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Abstract

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 analysed 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 among 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-contsrained settings. Addressing social determinants of health, increasing public health education, and subsidising antiviral treatments could enhance survival outcomes for DCLD patients in Nigeria.

Nigeria

Chronic liver disease

decompensated cirrhosis

mortality

socio-economic determinants

survival analysis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Determinants of Survival among Nigerian Patients with Decompensated Chronic Liver Diseases: An 18-Year Retrospective Review
Creators: Roland I. Stephen - Modibbo Adama University of Technology
Jennifer Tyndall - American University of Nigeria
Jamiu Olumoh - American University of Nigeria
Jimmy Reyes - University of Iowa, Community and Behavioral Health
Usman Malabu - Townsville Hospital
Kefas P. Zawaya - Federal Medical Centre
Nura Umaru - Gombe State University
Ibrahim Bello Boslam - Modibbo Adama University of Technology
Victory Inyang - American University of Nigeria
Oyelola Adeboye - Charles Darwin University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Scientific African, Vol.33, e03481
DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03481
ISSN: 2468-2276
eISSN: 2468-2276
Publisher: Elsevier B.V; AMSTERDAM
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 06/27/2026
Date published: 09/2026
Academic Unit: Nursing; Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9985177169102771

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