Assessment of chronic hepatitis B: The importance of hepatitis B virus DNA testing

Abstract

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has an estimated prevalence of 90000 to 160000 in Australia. Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are important complications of CHB and appropriate evaluation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals is vital to identify treatment candidates. Methods: A review of the database of a tertiary hospital was performed and 348 HBsAg-positive individuals with baseline demographic, virological, serological and biochemical variables were identified and evaluated cross-sectionally. A small subgroup of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at baseline were identified and followed longitudinal..