Clinical, epidemiological characteristics and indications for liver biopsy and treatment in immigrants with chronic hepatitis B at a referral hospital in Madrid

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01308.x/abstract

Clinical, epidemiological characteristics and indications for liver biopsy and

treatment in immigrants with chronic hepatitis B at a referral hospital in

Madrid

J. A. Pérez-Molina, J. M. Herrero-Martínez, F. Norman, A. Pérez-Ayala, B.

Monge-Mahillo, M. Navarro-Beltrá, R. López-Vélez

Article first published online: 28 MAR 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01306.x

© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Issue

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 18, Issue 4, pages 294–299, April 2011

Summary.  The increase in immigration from less developed countries to Europe

has led to an increase in the incidence of hepatitis B infection. The objective

of this study was to describe the clinical, epidemiological characteristics and

indications for treatment of chronic hepatitis B in a cohort of immigrants,

given the relative lack of current evidence. We performed a noninterventional

retrospective chart review; different characteristics depending on geographical

origin were compared. A case-control study was also performed to describe

factors potentially associated with chronic or past hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection. We selected a random sample of 436 patients out of the 2989

immigrants attending during the study period (1989-2008). Hepatitis B serology

was performed in 74% (322/436): 10.6% had chronic HBV infection (95% CI:

7.4–13.7%), and 46.9% had evidence of past infection (95% CI: 41.7–52.0%).

The average age was 31 years, 60% were men, and 70% were sub-Saharan Africans.

Chronic infection was related to being men (OR 2.03; 95%CI: 1.29–3.18),

younger (OR 0.98; 0.96–0.99) and sub-Saharan African (OR 5.41; 2.71–10.83).

Past or current infection was related to male sex (OR 2.80; 1.81–4.30), longer

time elapsed until first seen at the unit (OR 0.998; 0.997–1.000), HIV

infection (OR 4.99; 1.15–21.60) and being sub-Saharan African (OR 15.46;

8.97–27.18). These associations were not confirmed after adjustment for

geographical origin. In 27% and 29.5% of patients, liver biopsy and treatment,

respectively, would have been indicated. Prevalence of chronic HBV infection

amongst immigrants is high, especially in sub-Saharan Africans. Almost a third

could be considered for liver biopsy or antiviral therapy.

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01308.x/abstract

Clinical, epidemiological characteristics and indications for liver biopsy and

treatment in immigrants with chronic hepatitis B at a referral hospital in

Madrid

J. A. Pérez-Molina, J. M. Herrero-Martínez, F. Norman, A. Pérez-Ayala, B.

Monge-Mahillo, M. Navarro-Beltrá, R. López-Vélez

Article first published online: 28 MAR 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01306.x

© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Issue

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 18, Issue 4, pages 294–299, April 2011

Summary.  The increase in immigration from less developed countries to Europe

has led to an increase in the incidence of hepatitis B infection. The objective

of this study was to describe the clinical, epidemiological characteristics and

indications for treatment of chronic hepatitis B in a cohort of immigrants,

given the relative lack of current evidence. We performed a noninterventional

retrospective chart review; different characteristics depending on geographical

origin were compared. A case-control study was also performed to describe

factors potentially associated with chronic or past hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection. We selected a random sample of 436 patients out of the 2989

immigrants attending during the study period (1989-2008). Hepatitis B serology

was performed in 74% (322/436): 10.6% had chronic HBV infection (95% CI:

7.4–13.7%), and 46.9% had evidence of past infection (95% CI: 41.7–52.0%).

The average age was 31 years, 60% were men, and 70% were sub-Saharan Africans.

Chronic infection was related to being men (OR 2.03; 95%CI: 1.29–3.18),

younger (OR 0.98; 0.96–0.99) and sub-Saharan African (OR 5.41; 2.71–10.83).

Past or current infection was related to male sex (OR 2.80; 1.81–4.30), longer

time elapsed until first seen at the unit (OR 0.998; 0.997–1.000), HIV

infection (OR 4.99; 1.15–21.60) and being sub-Saharan African (OR 15.46;

8.97–27.18). These associations were not confirmed after adjustment for

geographical origin. In 27% and 29.5% of patients, liver biopsy and treatment,

respectively, would have been indicated. Prevalence of chronic HBV infection

amongst immigrants is high, especially in sub-Saharan Africans. Almost a third

could be considered for liver biopsy or antiviral therapy.