Greater prevalence of comorbidities with increasing age: Cross-sectional analysis of chronic hepatitis B patients in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background/Aims: Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia to some extent, are endemic for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection which could be associated with high mortality and comorbidities risk. However, limited data characterizing this CHB population exists. Our aim was to characterize and compare CHB patients in 2015 with those in 2010 and 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: We conducted and compared three cross-sectional analyses of adult patients with CHB defined as either positive hepatitis B surface antigen or documented CHB history in 2010, 2012, and 2015. Data were accessed from the multicenter Systematic Observatory Liver Disease Registry (SOLID). Results: A total of 765 CHB patients were identified in 2010 ( n = 274), 2012 ( n = 256), and 2015 ( n = 235). Median age was significantly higher in 2015 (47 years) compared to 2010 and 2012 (42 years;P < 0.05). The proportions of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (range 1–12%) and cirrhosis (range 5–23%) were significantly higher in 2015 compared to 2010 and 2012 ( P < 0.05). Compared to 2010, patients in 2015 had significantly ( P < 0.05) higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (10% vs. 4%) and hyperbilirubinemia (18% vs. 9%). Although not significant, there was a numerical increase in 2015 in chronic kidney disease (9% vs. 7% in 2010; P = 0.559) and hepatic steatosis (32% vs. 25% in 2010; P = 0.074). Significantly more patients in 2015 ( P < 0.05) were treatment experienced (23% vs. 5% in 2010/2012) and switched treatment (17% vs. 1–2% in 2010/2012). Conclusions: Between 2010 and 2015, the CHB population in Saudi Arabia had significantly aged and was more likely to develop liver disease sequelae and other comorbidities.

Hepatitis B care pathway in Saudi Arabia: Current situation, gaps and actions

“…10%). [38] This suggests that although the overall prevalence of HBV has decreased dramatically, the associated burden of end-stage liver disease secondary to CHB is likely to increase drastically in KSA in the next 20 years due to aging of the previously infected children. [39]…”

Seroprevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B infection among the hill tribe adult population in Thailand: a cross-sectional study

“…A study in Vietnam [30] reported a prevalence rate of 9.0% of HBV, which was close to the rate among hill tribe adults in Thailand. The prevalence has increased according to age which is consisted with a study in China, [31,32]. It is highly recommended that the HBV vaccine be implemented in high-prevalence areas by the United States Advisory Committee on immunization practice [27].…”

“…A study in Vietnam [ 30 ] reported a prevalence rate of 9.0% of HBV, which was close to the rate among hill tribe adults in Thailand. The prevalence has increased according to age which is consisted with a study in China, [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Chronic hepatitis B patients: A relation of age and comorbidities

“…I read with great interest the article by Sanai et al . [1] recently published in this Journal. The authors utilized data from the Systematic Observatory Liver Disease Registry (SOLID), from the Liver Disease Research Center based in Saudi Arabia.…”

“…In this observational retrospective study authors reported that chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in Saudi Arabia were older in 2015 compared to 2010 and 2012. [1] The study showed that older patients had a higher chance to develop comorbidities, including cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), coronary artery disease (CAD), and exhibited a greater likelihood to have been treatment experienced or undergone treatment switch.…”