Research Article

High Seroprevalence of Autoantibodies Typical of Autoimmune Liver Disease in Eastern Ethiopia: Is Chewing of Khat (Catha edulis) a Triggering Factor?

Table 1

Demographic features of the study participants, by khat consumption level.

VariableNonusers  
(n=104)
Light khat users1
(n=86)
Heavy khat users2
(n=83)
Significance (p)
Nonusers vs.Nonusers vs.
LightHeavy
khat userskhat users

Men40 (38.5)47 (54.7)70 (84.3)0.026<0.001
Age (years)
27 (22-52)27 (24-40)40 (30-55)0.4970.001
Ethnic group:
 Oromo48 (46.2)67 (77.9)78 (94.0)<0.001
 Amhara42 (40.4)15 (17.4)4 (4.8)<0.001
 Other14 (13.5)4 (4.7)1 (1.2)
Religion:
 Islam44 (42.3)69 (80.2)79 (95.2)<0.001<0.001
 Christianity60 (57.7)17 (19.8)4 (4.8)
Occupation:
 Farmer9 (8.7)28 (32.6)65 (78.3)<0.001<0.001
 Housewife26 (25.0)10 (11.6)1 (1.2)
 Student14 (13.5)10 (11.6)0
 Public servant17 (16.3)3 (3.5)3 (3.6)
 Health professional5 (4.8)3 (3.5)2 (2.4)
 Other33 (31.7)32 (37.2)12 (14.5)
Alcohol use324 (23.1)17 (19.8)6 (7.2)0.5810.003
Khat-years402 (0.5-10)60 (30-100)<0.001<0.001

Data are presented as number (%) or as median (interquartile range).
(1) 15 khat-years4
(2) >15 khat-years4
(3) ≤20 grams/day in women and ≤30 grams/day in men.
(4) One khat-year was defined as daily use of 200 grams fresh khat for one year.