Diagnosed Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B and Delta Virus in Italy in 2024: An Estimation From a National Real‐World Database
- Autori: Loglio, A.; Gardini, I.; Conforti, M.; Bartoli, M.; Silvia, F.; Coppola, C.; Chessa, L.; Svegliati‐baroni, G.; Schiadà, L.; Gentile, I.; Pinchera, B.; Brunetto, M.R.; Colombatto, P.; Aghemo, A.; De Nicola, S.; Toniutto, P.; Giannini, E.G.; Colecchia, A.; Romagnoli, D.; Sarmati, L.; Ponziani, F.R.; Morisco, F.; Camma, C.; Cabibbo, G.; Lampertico, P.; Degasperi, E.; Invernizzi, P.; Ciaccio, A.; Russo, F.P.; Ippolito, A.M.; Niro, G.A.; Terreni, N.; Nardone, G.; Rocco, A.; D'Antò, M.; Sacerdoti, D.; Ieluzzi, D.; Ciancio, A.; Pellicelli, A.; Federico, A.; Simone, L.; Messina, V.; Claar, E.; Rosato, V.; D'Offizi, G.; Caraceni, P.; Muratori, P.; Giaccherini, C.; Fagiuoli, S.; Viganò, M.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2025
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/691905
Abstract
Background and Aims: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection have undergone significant changes in Italy over the past few decades, but reliable and updated prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and Delta (CHD) data are lacking. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology of CHB and CHD in Italy in 2024, based on real-world data. Methods: The number of patients with a healthcare expenditure exemption for CHB (016.070.32) and CHD (016.070.33) was obtained from 21 Regional Health Authorities. To understand how many CHB or CHD patients did not have these specific exemptions, a survey was conducted in 30 Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases Units across the country. Results: Health Authorities data reported 67 514 and 5216 subjects with an exemption for CHB and for CHD, respectively. However, among 6775 CHB and 504 CHD patients, only 60.3% and 55.7% of them had the specific exemption, respectively. Based on these results, we estimated 111 960 (95% CI: 109 780–114 240) CHB and 9360 (95% CI: 8690–10 150) CHD patients, with a prevalence of 0.22% and 0.019% of the adult overall population. Moreover, anti-HDV prevalence was 7.7% from this cohort. Conclusion: Our study provides a plausible estimate of the current number of adult patients diagnosed with CHB and CHD in Italy and may be considered the basis for decision-making health policies.