HBV Infection in Italian and Non-Italian Patients in Northern Italy

Paschale, Massimo De and Manco, Maria Teresa and Belvisi, Luisa and Magnani, Carlo and Re, Tiziana and Viganò, Paolo and Biagiotti, Sara and Capelli, Francesca and Mazzone, Antonino and Baldacci, Maria Pia and Ferrara, Aldo and Neri, Anna Lisa and Brando, Bruno and Clerici, Pierangelo (2012) HBV Infection in Italian and Non-Italian Patients in Northern Italy. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 3 (1). pp. 1-12. ISSN 22310614

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Abstract

Aims: The introduction of HBV vaccination in Italy has reduced the incidence and prevalence of HBV infection. However, increasing immigration from countries in which HBV is endemic has led to a wave of new HBsAg-positive subjects and their clinical impact needs evaluation. We compared the serological, clinical and epidemiological data relating to Italian and non-Italian subjects referred to a hospital in Northern Italy.
Study Design: We retrospectively analysed the laboratory and clinical records of 488 subjects, including 107 (21.9%) non-Italians, in order to find data concerning clinical diagnoses, possible routes of infection, anti-HCV and anti-HDV antibodies.
Results: The differences in gender distribution and mean age between the non-Italian and Italian patients were statistically significant (p<.001). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of anti-HCV (2.9% vs 4.9%, p=.86) or anti-HDV (4.7% vs 5.0%, p=.89) co-infection, or the presence of HBeAg in chronic infection. There were no differences in the rates of acute (3.3% vs 5.1%; p=.68) or chronic infections (96.7% vs 94.9%; p=.68) infections, but there were statistically significant differences (p<.001) in the rates of prevalent (54.5% vs 85.3%) and incident cases (45.5% vs 14.7%). The differences in the rates of asymptomatic (70.6% vs 34.9%) and symptomatic patients (29.4% vs 65.1%) were also statistically significant (p<.001). The only significant differences in terms of risk factors related to transfusions (0% vs 6.8%; p=.04), and vertical/perinatal transmission (44.1% vs 6.8%; p<.001).
Conclusion: The non-Italian HBsAg-positive subjects were mainly women and younger than their Italian counterparts, and had a recent diagnosis. They were predominantly asymptomatic and probably considered themselves healthy and fit to emigrate. Perinatal transmission among non-Italians is still an important risk factor that reflects the epidemiological situation of their countries of origin.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: STM Repository > Medical Science
Depositing User: Managing Editor
Date Deposited: 23 Jun 2023 05:21
Last Modified: 03 Nov 2023 04:34
URI: http://classical.goforpromo.com/id/eprint/3576

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