Speaker
Description
Introduction: Geophagy, the intentional consumption of soil or clay, is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, raising concerns about potential health risks, particularly trace-element imbalances and liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of geophagy and its effect on trace element levels and liver fibrosis in a specific population.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a comparative study involving individuals engaged in geophagy (group 1) and a control group (group 2). Trace element concentrations were measured in both groups with ICP-MS, and liver fibrosis was assessed using FibroScan®.
Results: The study found a geophagy prevalence of 13 per 1,000 medical consultations, which is consistent with previous reports in the region. Significantly higher levels of cadmium, copper, and zinc were observed in group 1, whereas the iron and lead levels were lower. Liver fibrosis assessment revealed that 68% of group 1 had normal liver fibrosis, with only 2% advanced fibrosis stage.
Conclusion: Our findings indicated that geophagy can lead to the accumulation of specific trace elements, potentially causing toxicity or nutritional deficiencies. While this study suggests a relatively low prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis in geophagic individuals, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of this practice on liver health.
