Demographics, Biochemical Characteristics, and Phases of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Retrospective Analysis From a Secondary Care Setup

Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of cirrhosis in the developing world. Despite the development of effective vaccine(s) and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) such as tenofovir and entecavir, the eradication of chronic HBV remains a distant dream in endemic regions. Factors such as treatment naivety, longer duration of disease, late diagnosis, family history of liver disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma, fatty liver disease, multiple comorbidities, alcoholism, use of tobacco products, noncompliance to drugs, and loss to follow-up all contribute to disease progression and development of complications. In order to promote a better understanding of the treatment initiation, duration, and eventual outcomes, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) updated its guidelines in 2017 and introduced a new staging system for chronic HBV. Since these guidelines are relatively recent, data regarding the new staging is virtually absent in local/regional settings. Moreover, it has been observed that patients presenting to secondary care setups at major urban centers have disease characteristics quite distinct from those of their rural counterparts or patients presenting to tertiary care setups, even in the same cities. Additionally, there is scarce published data with regard to this aspect. With this study, we hope to make progress on all of those fronts. Objective We aimed to evaluate the demographics, biochemical characteristics, and phases of chronic HBV at the secondary care level. Methods This was a retrospective observational cohort conducted at the Sindh Government Hospital, Liaquatabad from January to December 2020. Patients of either gender who were aged ≥12 years, and diagnosed as a case of chronic HBV were eligible to be enrolled in the study. Only treatment-naive patients were enrolled in the study. Demographics, biochemical characteristics, and phases of HBV (in light of the updated guidelines issued by EASL in 2017 with respect to HBV) were recorded and analyzed. Patient confidentiality was ensured at all times. Results A total of 102 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of our cohort was 34.31 ±12.42 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 3:2. All referrals were made from within the city district. Housewives and laborers made up the majority of our patients. The mean alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were 39.83 ±21.33 IU/L; otherwise, the biochemical profile of the patients was unremarkable. Phase III was the most frequently recorded stage of chronic HBV; 41 (40.19%) of the patients were diagnosed with it. However, nearly half of the patients had chronic active hepatitis (phases II and IV). Only a single case each of hepatitis Delta virus and decompensated liver disease (DCLD) was recorded. Conclusions All patients of chronic HBV presenting at the secondary care level were referred locally, were relatively older, and exhibited a higher frequency of chronic active hepatitis (phases II and IV). This corresponded to borderline elevations of ALT. But the remainder of the biochemical profile was largely unremarkable due to the very low prevalence of cirrhosis among these patients.