Viral hepatitis is now equated as a threat comparable to the “big three” communicable diseases – HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis
- About 250,000 people die of viral hepatitis annually
- In this SRL data analysis, more males (28%) tested positive for viral hepatitis than females (18%)
New Delhi, 26th July 2019: A retrospective analysis of data around viral hepatitis (A, B, C and E) by SRL Diagnostics –most doctor preferred lab– reveals that viral hepatitis is predominant in the age group of 16 to 30 years (49%). As per the SRL data, the water-borne hepatitis E virus was found to be the most common (23%) laboratory diagnosed viral hepatitis in India. This was followed by hepatitis A virus (19%). A total of 3978 samples were selected and analyzed wherein tests for all four hepatitis viruses were done in one person in one go.
The study highlighted that all four types of viral hepatitis are more common in younger age groups of between 16 and 30 years. The waterborne virus infections, hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections were particularly common in the young adult age group of 16-30 years followed by hepatitis E virus (HEV). HAV is the most common cause of acute hepatitis in paediatric age group (1–3 years). However, with the improvement in socioeconomic conditions and vaccination, early childhood exposure to HAV has decreased markedly. Hence, there has been a gradual shift in the age of acquiring the infection from childhood to adulthood.
Explaining about the disease, Dr. Avinash Phadke, President – Technical & Mentor, SRL Diagnostics said, “Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatitis E. These four types of viral hepatitis have different modes of transmission, affecting various populations and resulting in diverse health outcomes. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are predominantly spread via blood or tissue fluid route and can cause chronic hepatitis leading to complications that include liver cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. For hepatitis E and hepatitis A virus infections, hygiene and sanitation play a major role, while for hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus, lifestyle and awareness are extremely important. Whatever may be the cause, providing an early diagnosis and management of viral hepatitis at all levels of healthcare is important,” he added.
Viral hepatitis is a cause for major health care burden in India. Despite as many as 400 million people being affected by the disease globally, hepatitis has largely been ignored. In the recent times, there has been a huge influx of people in urban and semi urban areas leading to significant changes in the lifestyle and hygiene system of the country. Amongst major cities, the most prevalent hepatitis in Mumbai was hepatitis E (67%). On the contrary, in Bangalore and Delhi NCR regions, hepatitis A (53%) was found to be more common.It was also found that more males (28%) tested positive for viral hepatitis as compared to females (18%).
At the 69th World Health Assembly (Geneva), 194 governments adopted WHO’s first Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis (2016-2021) with a goal of eliminating hepatitis B and C in the next 13 years. The community responded by launching ‘NOhep’ – the first ever global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. SRL takes this opportunity to raise awareness as well as encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis so as to achieve its elimination by 2030.
As an advanced Clinical Reference Laboratory, SRL receives samples both for screening and diagnostic purpose. Hence it is expected that there may be a positive bias in the statistical analysis of tests done for viral hepatitis. The findings cannot be extrapolated to infer incidence of hepatitis in the general population.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
