Prevalence of chronic liver disease among young/middle-aged adults in Northern Italy: role of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection by age, sex, ethnicity

Abstract

Background Sparse population-based data are available on the prevalence and etiology of chronic liver disease (CLD) in Italy. The study aims to assess the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in CLD according to age, gender and ethnicity. Methods Clinically diagnosed CLD in the general population aged 20–59 years in the Veneto Region (North-Eastern Italy) were identified through the Adjusted Clinical Groups System, by record linkage of the archive of subjects enrolled in the Regional Health System with Hospital Discharge Records, Emergency Room visits, Chronic disease registry for copayment exemptions, and the Home care database. Age-standardized prevalence rates (PR) were computed in Italians and immigrants, based on country of citizenship. Results Overall 22,934 subjects affected by CLD in 2016 were retrieved, 21% related to HBV and 43% to HCV infection. The prevalence of HCV-related CLD was higher in males, peaking at 50–54 years (males = 11/1000; females = 4/1000). The PR of HBV-related CLD was almost negligible in the Italian population (1/1000), and higher among immigrants, especially from East Asia (males = 17/1000; females = 11/1000) and Sub-Saharan Africa (males = 13/1000; females = 10/1000). Conclusion Specific population sub-groups identified by age, gender, and ethnicity, were demonstrated to be at increased risk, and these trends are in line with global epidemiological patterns of viral hepatitis.

Assessment of Medication Adherence and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Liver Disease Patients

“…The highest prevalence of CLD was found in the age group of 41-60 years of age. This is consistent with the study conducted by Fedeli U et al, which indicated that the prevalence of CLD among males increased with age until 50-54 years (Fedeli et al, 2019).…”

Distribution and Determinants of Etiologies and Complications of Chronic Liver Diseases Among Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in a Lower Economic Region of Ghana

“…Other studies in African countries have identified a comparable major pattern of HBV infection among CLD patients: (57.7%) in Ethiopia [18] and (58.0%) in Nigeria [12]. A greater proportion of the patients (21.7%) had HCV as the cause of their CLD which was similar to the (22.5%) obtained in Ethiopia [19], however very low compared to the (43.1%) in Italy [4]. The geographical variations may have contributed to this findings, which implies that the prevalence of HCV infection among individuals with CLD is higher in Europe compared to Africa.…”

“…Globally, the distribution of CLDs comprises non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases [NALD] (60%), hepatitis B viral infection [HBV] (29%), hepatitis C viral infection [HCV] (9%), and alcoholic liver diseases [ALD] (2%) [3]. However, depending on the geographical prevalence of etiologies (hepatitis viruses, alcohol consumption, and metabolic syndrome), a large degree of geographical variation exist in the pattern of CLDs [4]. For instance, viral hepatitis is prevalent in Africa, Asia and Latin America, whereas ALD and NALD is predominant in Western countries [2].…”

Study of serum iron parameters in chronic liver disease

“…The study was done in the Department of Biochemistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer College & Research Center General Medicine OPD in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh from January 2021 to December 2021. A total of 100 subjects under the age limit 20-60 years [18] were selected and categorized into two classes. 50 diagnosed cases of chronic liver disease (alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic viral hepatitis) recruited for this study, were included in class I, while, class II included 50 apparently healthy individuals age and sex matched.…”