Clinical, Biochemical, Serological, Virological and Sonological Profile of Newly Diagnosed Patients of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection – 422 Cases

Introduction: This retrospective study was done to see biochemical, serological and sonological status of newly diagnosed hepatitis B virus infected patients. Material and methods: Consecutive newly detected patients of chronic hepatitis B were included. Their epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, serological and sonographic findings were recorded. Data were analysed using (SPSS version20). Mean and percentage were calculated for continuous and categorical data respectively. Chi-square test was done and P value > 0.05 was taken as significant. Result: Total 422 patients, age from 11 to 75 years (mean 33.4) were included. Of them 317 (75.1%) and 105 (24.9%) were male and female respectively. Of them 320 (75.8%) were from rural areas, 253 (60.0%) were poor. Among them 216(51.18%) were detected during medical checkup for foreign job. And 173 (40.88%) had history saloon shave. In this series 144 (34.12%) patients were below 25 years and 216(51.18%) patients were within 26 to 45 years age group . ALT of patients varied from 10 iu/dl to 715 iu /dl (mean 51.63±48.40). Around50.5 % (n=213) had ALT within normal range (up to 40 iu/dl). HBeAg was positive in 97 (23.4%) patients. Hepatitis DNA (PCR) was not detectable in 135(32%) patients while it was above 100,000 copies / dl in 107(24.4%) patients. In this study 175 (53.84%) of patients with HBeAg negative had normal ALT and 83(61.48%) of patients with undetectable HBV DNA had normal ALT. Sonological examination was normal in 221 (%). Chronic liver disease, Hepatocellular carcinoma, ascites, fatty liver disease were detected in 60, 06(1.4%), 14 & 75 cases respectively. In this series, significant difference was found in DNA level (P= 0.029), hypertension status (P=0.013), ALT levels (P=0.00) and HBeAg status (P=0.000)in between sexes. HBeAg also varied significantly with ALT levels (P=0.011). ALT level also varied significantly between sexes (p= 0.00). Conclusion: Newly detected asymptomatic or symptomatic patients of chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients may have significant biochemical and serological viral activity requiring antiviral treatment. So mass screening and early detection of disease activity may improve outcome.