Patterns of chronic hepatitis B in Central Italy: a cross-sectional study.
We investigated the patterns of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related disease in a large cohort of HBsAg-positive patients, in Central Italy, by collecting a screening form with demographic, clinical and laboratory data. Overall, 737 HBsAg-positive cases were included (70% male; median age 52 years): 30% were inactive HBsAg carriers, 51% had chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 19% had HBV-related cirrhosis. Patients from non-European Union (EU) countries (n = 65) were significantly younger, had a higher prevalence of HBeAg-positive infection and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infection than patients of Italian origin. Therefore, as immigration from non-EU countries continues to grow, we can expect a change in the landscape of HBV-related disease in our area.
Piccolo
Paola
P
Hepatology Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. paola.piccolo@uniroma2.it
Lenci
Ilaria
I
Telesca
Claudia
C
Di Paolo
Daniele
D
Bandiera
Franco
F
De Melia
Luigi
L
Sorbello
Orazio
O
Renier
Giuseppina
G
Ricci
Giovanni L
GL
Nosotti
Lorenzo
L
Romano
Mario
M
De Santis
Adriano
A
Levrero
Massimo
M
Antonucci
Giorgio
G
Longo
Maria Antonella
MA
Annicchiarico
Brigida E
BE
Angelico
Mario
M
D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence