A Comprehensive Analysis of Inactive Hepatitis B Infection in a Cohort of Omani Patients.

OBJECTIVES

Inactive hepatitis B carriers constitute a considerable proportion of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. Understanding the clinical features of this often overlooked population is essential to inform patient management strategies. Our study aimed to describe the sociodemographic and clinical features of inactive HBV carriers presenting to a tertiary center in Muscat, Oman.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study among 375 adult Omani patients with inactive HBV infections presenting to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital between January 2017 and December 2018. Relevant data were collected from electronic patient records. Liver fibrosis status was determined using two-dimensional shear-wave elastography.

RESULTS

A total of 200 patients met the study inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Of these, 53.0% were male, and the mean age was 45.0 ± 9.3 years. Most (77.5%) were aged 32-50 years and were therefore born before 1990, the year of initiation of the national HBV vaccination program. A family history of HBV infection was reported in 29.0%, while 25.0% were obese. Severe fibrosis and cirrhosis were observed in 16.0% and 3.0% of the cohort, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A large number of inactive Omani HBV carriers were born before the implementation of the national HBV vaccination program in Oman, and just under one-third had a family history of HBV infection. Notably, despite being considered inactive carriers, 19.0% displayed radiological features of severe fibrosis or cirrhosis. Screening for high-risk inactive HBV infection is essential to ensure early management and improved patient outcomes.