Hepatitis B markers and risk factors for hepatitis B in liver biopsy patients

As part of a study of all patients undergoing liver biopsy in 6 Toronto teaching hospitals from February 1, 1981 to January 31, 1982, participants had hepatitis B marker (HBV) studies and were interviewed concerning, among other things, potential hepatitis B exposure risk factors. All analyses were conducted by sex. Of 376 males, and 342 females participating in the study, complete data were available on 243 (65%) males and 230 (67%) females. Information was obtained on country of birth, race, previous exposure to hepatitis, previous blood transfusions, sexual preference, use of intravenous drugs, occupation, tattooing, and ear piercing. Thirty-five percent of males and 17 percent of females had at least one HBV marker present. Males with at least one HBV marker, compared to males with no HBV markers were more frequently oriental (p less than 0.001), homosexual (p less than 0.05), or born in a country with a higher level of HBV endemicity than in Canada (p less than 0.001). Females with at least one HBV marker, compared to females with no HBV markers were more frequently oriental (p less than 0.001), employed in a health occupation (p less than 0.05), or born in a country with a higher level of HBV endemicity than in Canada (p less than 0.0001). For each sex, multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for potential confounding by significant variables detected in univariate analyses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)