Frequency and comparative analysis of hepatitis D in patients seeking treatment for hepatitis B

To find the frequency of hepatitis 'D' in patients of hepatitis 'B' seeking treatment and to compare clinical and biochemical features in patients harboring HDV with those who are not. HBsAg positive patients seeking treatment were enrolled in the study. Anti-HDV was done in all. Patients were split into two groups according to their anti-HDV status into HDV positive and HDV negative groups. Liver biochemistries and viral profile for HCV, anti-HBc IgM and HBeAg were done and compared between the two groups. A total of 246 patients were selected. HDV was positive in 66 (26.8%) patients. No significant difference was observed in the frequency and stages of cirrhosis between the two groups while significant differences were observed in the mean SGPT (95% CI: -381.09 to -110.74; P = 0.001) and albumin levels (95% CI: 1.87 to 7.73; P = 0.007) and in the frequency of HBeAg (P 0.001), anti- HBc IgM (P = 0.02) and HBV DNA (P < 0.001). (author)