Evolving clinical landscape of chronic hepatitis B: A multicenter Italian study

63Citations
Citations of this article
46Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of chronic hepatitis B with special reference to the geographical origin of the patients and to the prevalence of HBeAg and viral and non-viral co-factors of liver disease. A cross sectional multicenter survey was undertaken, which enrolled 1,386 HBsAg chronic carriers observed consecutively in 21 referral centers over a 6-month period. The prevalence of HBeAg in patients was 11%; the presence of HBeAg was associated independently with a younger age and co-infection with HIV. Anti-HDV, anti-HCV, or anti-HIV antibodies were detected in 8.1%, 6.5%, and 2%, respectively. However, among the patients first diagnosed during the study period (incident cases), 14.3% were anti-HDV positive. Seven percent of the patients were immigrants; they were younger than Italian patients and 18% were HBeAg positive; no difference was observed in the prevalence of anti-HDV, anti-HCV, or anti-HIV antibodies. The presence of cirrhosis was associated independently with an age >52 years, the presence of anti-HDV or anti-HCV, alcohol use >4 drinks/day, and a high BMI. The clinical epidemiology of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection shows a dynamic profile, with the potential for re-emergence of cases with HBeAg or anti-HDV and an emerging impact of metabolic factors on the evolution of liver disease. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Author supplied keywords

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Stroffolini, T., Almasio, P. L., Sagnelli, E., Mele, A., Gaeta, G. B., Andreone, P., … Ciancio, A. (2009). Evolving clinical landscape of chronic hepatitis B: A multicenter Italian study. Journal of Medical Virology, 81(12), 1999–2006. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.21643

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free