KGHeBTA (King George's Medical University Hepatitis B Therapeutic Algorithm): A New Diagnostic and Therapeutic...

Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms given by various societies for hepatitis B are fragmented and complex. The clinico-epidemiologic spectrum of hepatitis B is not studied with large-scale data from our region. We aimed to develop a comprehensive algorithm for the treatment of hepatitis B and study its clinico-epidemiological spectrum.

From 2014-2019, the clinico-laboratory data of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg)-positive patients were prospectively recorded. King George's Medical University hepatitis B therapeutic algorithm (KGHeBTA) was developed on the basis of the standard existing guidelines. The prevalence of different clinical stages of HBsAg-positive patients was calculated and their treatment records reviewed. Testing circumstances and risk factors were noted.

Among 1,508 data record sheets, 421 were complete. According to the KGHeBTA algorithm, 221 had detectable hepatitis B virus DNA. 21% were cirrhotic and 79% non-cirrhotic. 72% were incidentally detected asymptomatic hepatitis B, 7% were hepatitis B with acute symptoms, 0.7% were acute hepatitis B, and 22% were chronic hepatitis B. 20% patients were eligible for antivirals and 80% patients were not eligible. 32% patients were actually treated with antivirals due to the inclusion of some special indications as pregnancy and family history. Screening during various medical illnesses (40%) was the most common and during health camps (0.2%), the least common testing approach. Road-side shaving (52%) was the most common and intravenous drug abuse (0.2%) and the least common risk factor for the detection of hepatitis B in our data pool.

HBsAg-positive patients can be easily worked up and treated based on the proposed algorithm (KGHeBTA). About one fourth to one fifth of all HBsAg-positive patients were eligible and treated with oral antivirals. Most of the patients were incidentally detected asymptomatic hepatitis B screened during medical illnesses. Roadside shaving and intravenous drug abuse were the most and the least common risk factors.