Payal Mukker
BACKGROUND India has a high prevalence of hepatitis B. The present study was undertaken to understand the clinical, biochemical and virological characteristics of HBV infected patients and also to describe the natural course of the disease and the progression to chronic infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our prospective cohort study enrolled 100 patients with HBV infection presenting to Government Medical College, Trivandrum for 6 months. Participants with previous history of chronic liver disease, jaundice, and severe systemic disease were excluded. Institutional ethics committee approved the study and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data included socio-demographic parameters, history and laboratory investigations (baseline, 1 month & 6 months of enrolment). Laboratory investigations were done in the central laboratory of the institution. Participants with positive HBsAg after 6 months of treatment were considered as chronic hepatitis. Data was analysed using free software R®, independent sample â??tâ?? test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used as tests of significance and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS HBV infection was more prevalent among males. Icterus was associated with positive anti-HBcIgM (p=0.01) and HBeAg (p=0.04). Significant association was observed between positive HBeAg and splenomegaly (p=0.03). Hepatomegaly (p<0.001), US evidence of liver disease (p<0.001) and chronic hepatitis was associated. Transaminases, bilirubin, and INR showed reduction over 6 months of treatment with improvement in albumin levels. Between acute and chronic hepatitis, the change in transaminase, serum albumin & INR was significantly different. CONCLUSION Chronic hepatitis treatment results in a higher reduction of transaminases, albumin, and INR compared to acute hepatitis.
