[Hepatitis B in Poland in 2002]

Noticeable downward trend of hepatitis B incidence in Poland continued in 2002. In total 2,021 new cases were reported, 84 (4.2%) of which concerned people co-infected with HBV and HCV. The registered incidence, 5.3 per 100,000 population, was 15% lower then in 2001. As in previous years, the incidence in the urban areas (5.7) exceeded the incidence in the rural areas (4.6) and it was higher in men (6.6) then in women (4.0). Comparing the incidence across the regions, the rate ratio between the voivodeship with the highest and the lowest incidence (respectively 13.2 in kujawsko-pomorskie and 2.1 in podkarpackie) was 6.3. In the voivodeships with the highest incidence the age distribution differed significantly from the rest of the country suggesting the necessity of appropriate modifications in the national prevention program. Overall the most affected age groups were the elderly (incidence 8.1 in persons over 74 years of age, 7.9 in 65-74 year olds and 7.3 in 60-64 year olds) and young adults (incidence 6.5 among 20-24 year olds). Approximately 96% of cases were hospitalized. According to preliminary data there were 100 deaths due to acute of chronic hepatitis B in Poland in 2002.