Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Serological Status of a Solomon Islands Population

• Main Authors: Ventis Gasenolo Vahi, 方婷
• Other Authors: Ying-Chin Ko
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/s27727

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 臨床醫學研究所 === 99 === Background: Hepatitis B infection is hyper-endemic in Solomon Islands, where the distribution of the different hepatitis B serological markers and associated socio-demographic and simple laboratory characteristics have not been well established. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: A total of 504 volunteers from both an urban and rural setting were included in this study. The predictors for the study were the socio-demographic and laboratory characteristics and outcomes were the presence of hepatitis B serological markers, HBsAg positivity and presence of HCVAb in isolations or combined with HBsAg positivity. Results: The results showed a mean age of 44.62 years for the study group most of which were males. The prevalence for hepatitis B serological markers were 9.3%, 28.2%, 40.1%, 16.0% and 6.4% for only anti-HBs, only anti-HBc, both anti-HBs and anti-HBc positive, both HBsAg and anti-HBc positive and negative for all markers respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that a BMI of ≥25kg/m2 had a protective effect (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33-0.89; p< 0.0158) compared to having a BMI of <25kg/m2 and having AST levels of >40IU/L had a statistically significant risk effect (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.05-3.90; p<0.0294) compared to having AST levels of ≤40 IU/L for HBsAg positivity. The independent predictor in subjects of BMI≥25kg/m2 for HBsAg positivity was being of Anglican Christian denomination whereas AST level of greater than 40IU/L was the independent predictor in subjects of BMI<25kg/m2 for HBsAg positivity. The prevalence of HBV/HCV co-infection was 1.98% of which infected subjects were mostly urban dwellers (70%), all of them had no family history of liver disease, and 66.7% had BMI <25kg/m2. Those with HBV/HCV co-infection had a higher percentage of elevated AST (>40IU/L), ALT (>35IU/L), GGT (50>IU/L) including creatinine (>1.5g/dL) in comparison to those with none or single HBV or HCV infections. However only the association to elevated AST was statistically significant (p=0.0196). Conclusion: Hepatitis B still remains hyper-endemic in the Solomon Islands where BMI and AST levels are independent predictors for HBsAg positivity. Furthermore, there were differing associated risks for HBsAg positivity in those with BMI≥25kg/m2 and those with BMI<25kg/m2. Although HBV/HCV co-infection may be uncommon, there remains the greater likelihood of resulting liver pathology as compared to isolated infections with either virus.