Abstract
Introduction: The epidemiology of HBV infection has changed in Western Europe. Few data are available at a national level.
Aim: To assess the epidemiologic characteristics of HBV infection in Belgium.
Patients and methods: BASL members were asked to report all HBsAg+ patients between March 01, 2008 and February 28, 2009.
Results: 1421 patients (mean age 42 years, 67% male) from 26 centres were included. 71% were prevalent cases. 52% were Caucasians and 25% black Africans. Risk factors for HBV infection were: transfusion (14%), intravenous drug use (9%), surgery (6%), sexual behaviour (38%), and familial transmission (33%). 92 patients (12%) were co-infected: 26 with HDV, 28 with HCV, 32 with HIV, 2 with HDV-HCV and 4 with HCV-HIV.
Liver biopsy was performed in 641 patients. Fibrosis distribution was F0=16%, F1=24%, F2=24%, F3=19% F4=17%. Independent predictive factors for F3-4 were age >40 years (p<0.001), male sex (p<0.01), HDV co-infection (p<0.05), bilirubin >1.5mg/dl (p=0.04) and activity score >2 (p=0.01).
According to HBeAg status, viral load (VL) and ALT values, 10 patients were immunotolerants, 622 inactive carriers (group 1), 249 had HBeAg+ hepatitis (group 2) and 413 HBeAg- hepatitis (group 3). 127 patients (9%) could not be classified.
Compared to groups 2 and 3, group 1 patients were younger (41 vs 43 years, p=0.01), less frequently male (59 vs 74%, p<0.0001), had lower median VL (2 vs 3.5 log IU/ml, p<0.0001) and less frequently ALT >2N (0 vs 25%, p<0.0001).
Compared to group 3, group 2 patients were younger (41 vs 44 years, p=0.001), had a higher median VL (4.58 vs 3.11 log IU/ml, p<0.0001), more frequently ALT >2N (31 vs 21%, p<0.01) and underwent more frequently treatment (81 vs 72%, p<0.01). Liver biopsy was performed in 467 patients in groups 2 and 3. F3-4 was similar (32 vs 38%, NS).
Conclusion: In Belgium, half of HBsAg+ patients are inactive carriers. One third has HBeAg- chronic hepatitis. F3-4 is reported in 35% when a liver biopsy is performed. Patients with HBeAg+ chronic hepatitis are younger and have higher VL and ALT values than HBeAg- patients.
Aim: To assess the epidemiologic characteristics of HBV infection in Belgium.
Patients and methods: BASL members were asked to report all HBsAg+ patients between March 01, 2008 and February 28, 2009.
Results: 1421 patients (mean age 42 years, 67% male) from 26 centres were included. 71% were prevalent cases. 52% were Caucasians and 25% black Africans. Risk factors for HBV infection were: transfusion (14%), intravenous drug use (9%), surgery (6%), sexual behaviour (38%), and familial transmission (33%). 92 patients (12%) were co-infected: 26 with HDV, 28 with HCV, 32 with HIV, 2 with HDV-HCV and 4 with HCV-HIV.
Liver biopsy was performed in 641 patients. Fibrosis distribution was F0=16%, F1=24%, F2=24%, F3=19% F4=17%. Independent predictive factors for F3-4 were age >40 years (p<0.001), male sex (p<0.01), HDV co-infection (p<0.05), bilirubin >1.5mg/dl (p=0.04) and activity score >2 (p=0.01).
According to HBeAg status, viral load (VL) and ALT values, 10 patients were immunotolerants, 622 inactive carriers (group 1), 249 had HBeAg+ hepatitis (group 2) and 413 HBeAg- hepatitis (group 3). 127 patients (9%) could not be classified.
Compared to groups 2 and 3, group 1 patients were younger (41 vs 43 years, p=0.01), less frequently male (59 vs 74%, p<0.0001), had lower median VL (2 vs 3.5 log IU/ml, p<0.0001) and less frequently ALT >2N (0 vs 25%, p<0.0001).
Compared to group 3, group 2 patients were younger (41 vs 44 years, p=0.001), had a higher median VL (4.58 vs 3.11 log IU/ml, p<0.0001), more frequently ALT >2N (31 vs 21%, p<0.01) and underwent more frequently treatment (81 vs 72%, p<0.01). Liver biopsy was performed in 467 patients in groups 2 and 3. F3-4 was similar (32 vs 38%, NS).
Conclusion: In Belgium, half of HBsAg+ patients are inactive carriers. One third has HBeAg- chronic hepatitis. F3-4 is reported in 35% when a liver biopsy is performed. Patients with HBeAg+ chronic hepatitis are younger and have higher VL and ALT values than HBeAg- patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 276-277 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Journal of Hepatology |
| Volume | 52 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
| Event | Finds and Results from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition: A Gender Perspective at the Medelhavsmuseet - Stockholm, Sweden Duration: 21 Sep 2009 → 25 Sep 2009 |