Geographical pattern of chronic liver diseases in Italy: Results from two pooled national surveys.
Adult
Aged
Chronic Disease
/ epidemiology
Female
Geography
Hepatitis B, Chronic
/ epidemiology
Hepatitis C, Chronic
/ epidemiology
Humans
Italy
/ epidemiology
Liver Cirrhosis
/ epidemiology
Liver Diseases
/ epidemiology
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic
/ epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Surveys and Questionnaires
Alcohol
Chronic hepatitis
Geographical pattern
HBV
HCV
Liver cirrhosis
Journal
European journal of internal medicine
ISSN: 1879-0828
Titre abrégé: Eur J Intern Med
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 9003220
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
03 2019
03 2019
Historique:
received:
09
10
2018
accepted:
16
10
2018
pubmed:
27
10
2018
medline:
3
7
2019
entrez:
27
10
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The information on the geographical characteristics of chronic liver diseases (CLD) in Italy is out-dated. To provide up-dated information on the geographical pattern of patients with CLD born in Italy. Patients with CLD were enrolled in two national surveys performed in 2001 and 2014, which prospectively recruited subjects aged ≥18 years referring to Italian liver units located throughout the country that apply a similar clinical approach and analytical methods. The total number of patients enrolled was 11,676. Alcohol-related CLD was more frequently observed in northern/central areas (25.0% vs. 20.7%, p < .001), while HBV-related (15.4% vs. 13.3%, p = .02) and HCV-related (71.2% vs. 67.1%, p < .001) CLD prevailed in southern areas/main islands (Sicily and Sardinia). These differences were stable over time. Liver cirrhosis without HCC was diagnosed more frequently in southern area/islands than in northern/central areas (23.7% vs. 18.8%, p < .01). Moreover, an increased proportion over time of patients with cirrhosis without HCC was observed both in northern/central areas (17.3% vs. 27.4%, p < .01) and in southern area/islands (22.6% vs. 27.9%, p < .01). These up-dated findings show different geographical patterns of CLD in Italy, reflecting different behavioural habits and socio-economic conditions across the country. They may be useful to apply more adequate preventive measures and to allocate economic resources.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The information on the geographical characteristics of chronic liver diseases (CLD) in Italy is out-dated.
AIM
To provide up-dated information on the geographical pattern of patients with CLD born in Italy.
METHODS
Patients with CLD were enrolled in two national surveys performed in 2001 and 2014, which prospectively recruited subjects aged ≥18 years referring to Italian liver units located throughout the country that apply a similar clinical approach and analytical methods.
RESULTS
The total number of patients enrolled was 11,676. Alcohol-related CLD was more frequently observed in northern/central areas (25.0% vs. 20.7%, p < .001), while HBV-related (15.4% vs. 13.3%, p = .02) and HCV-related (71.2% vs. 67.1%, p < .001) CLD prevailed in southern areas/main islands (Sicily and Sardinia). These differences were stable over time. Liver cirrhosis without HCC was diagnosed more frequently in southern area/islands than in northern/central areas (23.7% vs. 18.8%, p < .01). Moreover, an increased proportion over time of patients with cirrhosis without HCC was observed both in northern/central areas (17.3% vs. 27.4%, p < .01) and in southern area/islands (22.6% vs. 27.9%, p < .01).
CONCLUSIONS
These up-dated findings show different geographical patterns of CLD in Italy, reflecting different behavioural habits and socio-economic conditions across the country. They may be useful to apply more adequate preventive measures and to allocate economic resources.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30360942
pii: S0953-6205(18)30408-4
doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2018.10.015
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
40-43Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.