[The role of different factors affecting the duodenum in chronic viral hepatitis B].

The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency and the character of duodenal lesions in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (CVH-B), to elucidate the dependence of these parameters on the activity and duration of hepatitis, virulence, and portal blood flow. A total of 206 patients with CVH-B were examined. It was found that CVH-B was associated with the development of chronic duodenitis in 23.3% of the patients. Endoscopic studies revealed different degree of affection of duodenal mucosa. Superficial focal and moderately severe duodenitis occurred more frequently (in 33.3 and 37.5% of the patients) than manifest duodenitis (12.5%). Erosive duodenitis concomitant with Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in 16.7% of the patients. The main factors contributing to the development of chronic duodenitis included viral infection, its intensity, duration of hepatitis, and disturbed portal circulation. Severity of duodenitis was closely related to the severity of CVH-B.