A Seven-Year Retrospective Study on the Surveillance of Hepatitis B in Laos

Abstract EN

Objective.

Lao PDR is one of the most highly endemic countries for hepatitis B in Asia and the second country for liver cancer incidence.

Therefore, the follow-up of infected individuals through predictive serological markers is of utmost importance to monitor the progression of the pathology and take the decision on treatment.

Methods.

A retrospective-descriptive cohort study was conducted on 3,857 HBV-infected patients.

Information about infection status (viral load, VL), liver function (aminotransferases), and treatments was recorded.

Results.

M/F sex ratio was 1.77 for a median age of 37.

Patients under 37 displayed higher VL than older ones and men had higher VL than women.

Initial VL ranged from <50 IU/mL to 2.5 1013 IU/mL.

Median aminotransferase values were 45.5 U/L for ALAT and 44 U/L for ASAT, ranging from <8 to >2,000 U/L.

Men had higher aminotransferase than women.

Globally 20% of patients received treatment (mainly immunostimulant and reverse-transcriptase inhibitors); 11% had high levels of VL and liver enzymes, but only 2% of them were treated.

Conclusion.

Public health decisions should be taken urgently to rationalise vaccination and provide fair access to early diagnosis and treatment; otherwise the burden of HBV-associated diseases will be overwhelming for Laos in the near future.