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The present profile of chronic hepatitis B virus infection highlights future challenges: An analysis of the Multicenter Italian MASTER-B cohort.

Digestive and Liver Disease 2018 September 22
BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

AIM: The study is aimed at updating the clinical and epidemiological profile of chronic HBV infection in Italy.

METHODS: A cross-sectional multicenter prospective study enrolled consecutive HBsAg positive patients seen in 73 Italian centers in the period 2012-2015. Individual patient data were collected using an electronic platform and analyzed using standard statistical methods.

RESULTS: Among 2877 HBsAg positive individuals (median age 49.8 years, 68% males), 27% were non-Italian natives (NINs); 20% had chronic infection, 58.5% chronic hepatitis and 21.5% cirrhosis. Among NINs, age was younger, male gender was less prevalent and liver disease less advanced than in Italians (all p < 0.0001). HBeAg positive cases were 23.6% among NINs vs 8.2% in Italians (p < 0.0001); HDV coinfections 11.1% vs 7.3% (p = 0.006) and HCV coinfections 2.3% vs 4.2% (p = 0.017), respectively. Anti-HDV or anti-HCV antibodies were detected more frequently in patients with cirrhosis. Fifty percent of NINs with cirrhosis were aged below 45 years.

CONCLUSION: The study offers an insight into the evolving burden of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the near future and highlights new territories for public health interventions.

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