[Clinical features of acute hepatitis A in recent two years].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical features of acute hepatitis A in Seoul and Gyeonggi province during the recent 2 years.


METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 222 patients who were diagnosed as acute hepatitis A between August 2005 and March 2007 at the Konkuk University Hospital and Korea University, Ansan Hospital. The clinical manifestation, serological tests, and image findings were analyzed.


RESULTS
Median age of the patients was 28.1 years and the age groups of highest incidence were the second and third decade. The frequent symptoms were anorexia (66.4%), fatigue (49.2%), fever (47.7%), and abdominal discomfort (42.5%). Fourteen cases (6.3%) showed renal insufficiency, and hemodialysis was performed in one. Cholestatic hepatitis in 2 cases, relapsing hepatitis in 4 cases and prolonged hepatitis in 13 cases were observed. However, there was no case of fulminant hepatitis or death. The underlying diseases including chronic hepatitis B, diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorder did not affect the disease severity of hepatitis A. IgM anti-HAV was not detected initially in 6.7% of the patients. Anti-HEV (IgM) was detected simultaneously in 3 of 150 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The age of patients with acute hepatitis A has been increased in the recent years. Most patients recovered uneventfully. However, unusual patterns of severe hepatitis and renal insufficiency occurred in considerable number of cases. Follow-up serologic test for IgM anti-HAV is needed in seronegative cases with hepatitis A.
Lee
Eung Jun
EJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kwon
So Young
SY
Seo
Tae Ho
TH
Yun
Hyun Sung
HS
Cho
Han Su
HS
Kim
Byung Kook
BK
Choe
Won Hyeok
WH
Lee
Chang Hong
CH
Kim
Jin Nam
JN
Yim
Hyung Joon
HJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013383:Suburban Population
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M