Prevalence of hepatitis B in the southeast of China: a population-based study with a large sample size

June 6, 2011

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011 May 26. [Epub ahead of print]

Prevalence of hepatitis B in the southeast of China: a population-based study

with a large sample size.

Luo Z, Xie Y, Deng M, Zhou X, Ruan B.

Source

State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The

First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou,

People's Republic of China.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Hepatitis B is a major public health problem in China. However, in the past 10

years, estimates of the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been sparse,

with results that do not always agree. The purpose of this study was to

investigate the epidemiology of HBV in adults and to provide the most recent

baseline data for planning and monitoring of health.

METHODS:

The prevalence of HBV was determined in a community-based, cross-sectional,

age-stratified sample of adults (aged 20 years or older). The study population

was selected using random multistage cluster sampling. Demographic information

and serological samples were obtained from 19 933 participants.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of anti-HBV core antibody, HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and

anti-HBV surface antibody was 38.6, 7.9, and 44.9%, respectively. We found

statistically significant differences in hepatitis B infection between men and

women (P<0.001). The prevalence of HBV infection increased with age. The rates

of HBsAg positivity and HBV infection in individuals living on an island were

higher than those of individuals living in plains. The alanine aminotransferase

level was elevated (¡Ã38 IU/l) in 15.7 and 7.2% of HBsAg-positive and

HBsAg-negative patients; the proportion of elevated alanine aminotransferase was

markedly higher in men (12.7%) than in women (4.7%) (P<0.001). The

¥á-fetoprotein-positive rate was 2% in HBsAg-positive individuals who were aged

30 years or older.

CONCLUSION:

Borderline intermediate/high endemicity was found among adults in the northern

region of Zhejiang Province. The vaccination program has contributed to a

reduction in infection over the last 20 years, although further efforts are

required to turn the region into a 'low-endemicity' area.

PMID: 21617533 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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