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

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http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jvh/2011/00000018/00000004/art00029

Clinical, epidemiological characteristics and indications for liver biopsy and

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

Madrid

Authors: Pérez-Molina, J. A.; Herrero-Martínez, J. M.; Norman, F.;

Pérez-Ayala, A.; Monge-Mahillo, B.; Navarro-Beltrá, M.; López-Vélez, R.

Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, Volume 18, Number 4, April 2011 , pp.

294-299(6)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

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.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01306.x

Publication date: 2011-04-01

[Guest guest]

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jvh/2011/00000018/00000004/art00029

Clinical, epidemiological characteristics and indications for liver biopsy and

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

Madrid

Authors: Pérez-Molina, J. A.; Herrero-Martínez, J. M.; Norman, F.;

Pérez-Ayala, A.; Monge-Mahillo, B.; Navarro-Beltrá, M.; López-Vélez, R.

Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, Volume 18, Number 4, April 2011 , pp.

294-299(6)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

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.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01306.x

Publication date: 2011-04-01