Características de los pacientes con infección crónica por el virus de la hepatitis B. Análisis de una serie de 474 pacientes

Objective

To determine the clinical, laboratory, serological and histologic characteristics of chronic hepatitis B virus carriers in our environment.

Material and methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed that included chronic AgHBs carriers aged more than 13 years attending our service since January 2000.

Results

A total of 474 patients were included. At diagnosis, 55.49% were men, with a mean age of 41.05±13.93 years. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were within the normal range in 57.17% of the patients, and 87.76% were AgHBe(−). Hepatitis C and D virus coinfection was found in 3.62% and 1.86%, respectively. Liver biopsy was performed in 31.22%; varying grades of inflammation-fibrosis were found in 63.51% and cirrhosis was found in 12.84%. Compared with AgHBe(−) patients, those who were AgHBe(+) were younger and had greater disease activity. This difference was statistically significant. Patients in the immunotolerant phase were the least numerous (5.26%), while AgHBe(−) patients with chronic HBV infection were the most numerous (48.32%). Patients in the immunoreactive phase showed greater histological involvement (16.67% cirrhosis). A familial history of chronic HBV was found in 21.52%. The percentage of non-Spanish patients increased in the last few years and accounted for 18.78%.

Conclusion

Chronic HBV infection in our environment occurs mainly in middle-aged persons. GPT values are normal in more than 50%, most are AgHBe(−), and approximately half are inactive carriers. The incidence of chronic infection has increased in the non-Spanish population in recent years.