Patterns of chronic hepatitis B in Central Italy:

We investigated the patterns of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related disease in a large cohort of HBsAg-positive patients, in Central Italy, by collecting a screening form with demographic, clinical and laboratory data. Overall, 737 HBsAg-positive cases were included (70 % male; median age 52 years): 30 % were inactive HBsAg carriers, 51 % had chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 19 % had HBV-related cirrhosis. Patients from non-European Union (EU) countries (n=65) were significantly younger, had a higher prevalence of HBeAg-positive infection and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infection than patients of Italian origin. Therefore, as immigration from non-EU countries continues to grow, we can expect a change in the landscape of HBV-related disease in our area