Dataset Information

Hepatitis B virus testing and linkage to care in a Canadian urban tertiary referral centre: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite universal vaccination, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a public health concern in North America owing to immigration. We aimed to characterize the number of people with a positive result of testing for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in Calgary, a large urban Canadian health care region, and to assess whether recommended laboratory tests and specialist consultation were done for those identified as HBsAg-positive.

Methods

Based on laboratory and Alberta Health Services administrative data, we identified all adults (age > 18 yr) with a positive HBsAg test result from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014 within the Calgary Zone. Demographic and relevant laboratory data were extracted within 6 months of a positive HBsAg test result, and referral to hepatology (2011-2014) was identified from data on referral to a centralized clinic. Parametric and nonparametric statistical methods were used for analyses.

Results

We identified 1214 HBsAg-positive people (584 women [48.1%]; median age 44 [interquartile range (IQR) 36-55] yr). A total of 1192 people (98.2%) had alanine aminotransferase testing (median level 23 [IQR 16-34] U/L; 117 [9.8%] with elevated levels), 682 (56.2%) had testing for HBV DNA (median level 2.8 [IQR 2.1-3.8] logIU/mL), 630 (51.9%) had HBV e antigen testing (negative result in 548 [87.0%]), and 145 (11.9%) had HBV e antibody testing (positive result in 111 [76.6%]). Overall, 144 people (11.9%) received anti-HBV treatment, and 390 (32.1%) were referred to a hepatologist.

Interpretation

Many HBsAg-positive people in Calgary did not receive the recommended laboratory assessments. The results highlight the necessity of continual public health efforts to screen for chronic HBV infection in Canada and to ensure adequate follow-up in order to reach the World Health Organization's goal of viral hepatitis elimination by 2030.

SUBMITTER: Lau KCK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5498308 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Hepatitis B virus testing and linkage to care in a Canadian urban tertiary referral centre: a retrospective cohort study.

Lau Keith C K KCK Shaheen Abdel Aziz AA Aspinall Alexander A AA Ricento Ba Tazuko T Qureshi Mba Kamran K Congly Stephen E SE Borman Meredith A MA Jayakumar Saumya S Eksteen Bertus B Lee Samuel S SS Stinton Laura L Swain Mark G MG Burak Kelly W KW Coffin Carla S CS

CMAJ open 20170601 2

<h4>Background</h4>Despite universal vaccination, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a public health concern in North America owing to immigration. We aimed to characterize the number of people with a positive result of testing for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in Calgary, a large urban Canadian health care region, and to assess whether recommended laboratory tests and specialist consultation were done for those identified as HBsAg-positive.<h4>Methods</h4>Based on laboratory and Al ...[more]

PMID: 28596186

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Dataset Information

Hepatitis B virus testing and linkage to care in a Canadian urban tertiary referral centre: a retrospective cohort study.

Background

Methods

Results

Interpretation

Publications

Hepatitis B virus testing and linkage to care in a Canadian urban tertiary referral centre: a retrospective cohort study.

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