[Prevalence of markers of hepatitis B infection in the adult population of the district of Coimbra].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B markers in the adult population of the Coimbra district, in the central region of Portugal.


METHODS
The study included 657 subjects chosen aleatorily from 4 characteristic councils of the Coimbra district. They were questioned regarding risk factors and blood samples were taken for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc testing. Anti-HCV was previously determined and it was positive in 0.45% of the cases.


RESULTS
HBsAg was found in 0.91%. Anti-HBs and anti-HBc were both positive in 6.08%, anti-HBc without anti-HBs was found in 1.82% and anti-HBs without anti-HBc was found in 1.67% (11 cases, 8 vaccinated). The general prevalence of hepatitis B markers was 9.3%. Higher prevalences were found in the subjects over 50 years of age, 13.5% (p < 0.05), and in the urban area, 13.2% (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
1. The HBsAg prevalence in our region is 0.9%; 2. The general prevalence of hepatitis B markers is 9.3%; 3. HBsAg prevalence is higher than anti-HCV prevalence calculated in the same sample; 4. The prevalence of hepatitis B markers in our region is lower than in other Southern European countries.
Santos
A
A
Serviço de Medicina III, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra.
Carvalho
A
A
Tomaz
J
J
Rodrigues
V
V
Coxinho
L
L
Bento
D
D
Sá
R
R
Porto
A
A
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution
D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies