Hepatitis B, C, and D Virus Infections and AFP Tumor Marker Prevalence Among the Elderly Population in Mongolia: A Nationwide Survey
- Author:
Davaalkham DAMBADARJAA
1
;
Yerkyebulan MUKHTAR
;
Enkh-Oyun TSOGZOLBAATAR
;
Ser-Od KHUYAG
;
Angarmurun DAYAN
;
Nandin-Erdene OYUNBILEG
;
Oyu-Erdene SHAGDARSUREN
;
Gunchmaa NYAM
;
Nakamura YOSIKAZU
;
Masaharu TAKAHASHI
;
Hiroaki OKAMOTO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2022;55(3):263-272
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:Infections with hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV) are a major public health problem and lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-HDV immunoglobulin G, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and dual and triple hepatitis virus infections in Mongolia.
Methods:A total of 2313 participants from urban and rural regions were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to identify the risk factors for hepatitis virus infections, and the seromarkers were measured using immunoassay kits.
Results:Among all participants, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV was 15.6%, 36.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. The infection rates were significantly higher in females and participants with a lower education level, rural residence, older age, and a history of blood transfusion. HBV and HCV co-infection was found in 120 (5.2%) participants and HBV, HCV, and HDV triple infection was detected in 67 (2.9%) participants. The prevalence of elevated AFP was 2.7%, 5.5%, and 2.6% higher in participants who were seropositive for HBsAg (p=0.01), anti-HCV (p<0.001), and anti-HDV (p=0.022), respectively. Elevated AFP was more prevalent in participants co-infected with HBV and HCV (5.8%, p=0.023), HBV and HDV (6.0%, p<0.001), and triple-infected with HBV, HCV, and HDV (7.5%) than in uninfected individuals.
Conclusions:Nearly half (49.8%) of the study population aged ≥40 years were infected with HBV, HCV, or HDV, and 22.4% had dual or triple infections.
