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Mar Riveiro-Barciela1, Adriana Palom2, Maria Buti3
1Liver Unit. Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitary Vall d'Hebrón, España.
Revista Espanola De Enfermedades Digestivas
|August 31, 2022
Summary
Chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) is the most severe viral hepatitis, significantly increasing risks for cirrhosis and liver cancer compared to hepatitis B. Worldwide HDV infection rates remain largely unknown, impacting public health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Viral Hepatitis Research
- Public Health Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) is the most severe form of viral hepatitis.
- Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection elevates risks for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and decompensated liver disease 2-3 times higher than hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the severity of CHD and associated risks.
- To underscore the unknown global prevalence of HDV infection.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical data on CHD.
- Analysis of epidemiological data and estimated prevalence rates of HDV co-infection.
Main Results:
- A study of 299 CHD patients over 28 years showed 27% developed cirrhosis, with 56% of those progressing to HCC.
- Estimated global co-infection rates of HDV among HBsAg carriers range from 4.5% to 18%.
Conclusions:
- CHD poses a significantly higher risk for severe liver disease progression compared to HBV alone.
- The unknown global burden of HDV necessitates further epidemiological studies and public health attention.
