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Cost Assessment of Hepatitis B Virus-related Hepatitis in Bangladesh
Mamun Al Mahtab1, Muntasir Chaudhury2, Mohammad H Uddin1
1Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University,, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection impacts millions in Bangladesh, causing severe liver diseases and significant mortality. Understanding the economic burden is crucial for developing a national strategy to combat HBV and its health consequences.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma in Bangladesh.
- HBV-related acute on chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is an emerging medical crisis in Bangladesh.
- Millions in Bangladesh are infected with HBV, with a significant portion progressing to severe liver disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the extent of HBV infection and the economic burden of HBV-related liver diseases in Bangladesh.
- To provide insights that can inform the development of a national HBV eradication program.
- To address the need for a national strategy for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing data and estimates the prevalence and impact of HBV infection in Bangladesh.
- It analyzes the economic implications of HBV-related liver diseases, including hospital admissions and mortality.
- The paper discusses the clinical features of HBV in Bangladesh in comparison to other Asian countries.
Main Results:
- An estimated 50 million Bangladeshis have been infected with HBV, with 3-8 million chronically infected.
- HBV-related liver diseases account for a majority of hospital admissions and approximately 20,000 deaths annually.
- A significant number of chronically infected individuals are projected to develop severe liver conditions like liver cirrhosis, HCC, or ACLF.
Conclusions:
- There is a substantial and urgent need for a national strategy to manage and treat the millions of chronically HBV-infected individuals in Bangladesh.
- Addressing the economic impact of HBV is essential to drive the development of a comprehensive national HBV control program.
- While vaccination efforts are ongoing, a parallel focus on treatment and management is critical for mitigating the disease burden.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Bangladesh. Studies have indicated that HBV is the major cause of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in this country. Recently, HBV-related acute on chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) has emerged as a serious and emergent medical problem in Bangladesh. To develop a strategy to address HBV-related problems and their influence on health care delivery system, proper understandings about extent of problems and nature of economic burden should be explored. Conservative estimates indicate that about 50 million or more of Bangladeshi have been infected by HBV at some point of their life. Out of the total Bangladeshi population, about 2 to 5% is chronically infected with HBV (about 3-8 million) (1-6%) and considerable number of these patients will eventually develop LC, HCC, or ACLF (about 1 million). Although proper statistics is lacking, it is estimated that HBV-related liver diseases account for a majority of hospital admissions and around 20,000 deaths every year in Bangladesh. In addition, complex clinical features of HBV-related liver diseases have been documented in Bangladesh that show similarity and differences from HBV infection in other Asian countries. Although vaccination against HBV and containment of horizontal transmission are in progress in Bangladesh for reduction of new HBV infection, there is a lack of national strategy for treatment of millions of chronic HBV-infected subjects. This paper will provide an insight regarding the economic impact of HBV in Bangladesh that may act as a primary impetus for developing national HBV eradication program, a goal set by World Health Organization (WHO).
How To Cite This Article:
Al Mahtab M, Chaudhury M, Uddin MH, Noor-E-Alam SM, Rahim MA, Alam MA, Moben AL, Khondaker FA, Choudhury MFI, Sarkar MJA, Poddar PK, Foez SA, Akbar SMF. Cost Assessment of Hepatitis B Virus-related Hepatitis in Bangladesh. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(2):163-166.
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