According to data from the World Health Organization for 2022, there are approximately 254 million people worldwide with chronic hepatitis B. Each year, 1.2 million new cases are registered, and the total number of deaths exceeds 1 million.
Sarymsakov noted that in countries with high morbidity, the main route of transmission of the hepatitis B virus is perinatal; however, due to the vaccination of newborns, the number of such cases in Kyrgyzstan remains low. There are also parenteral and sexual routes of transmission. In adults, the disease often presents acutely, and in 95% of cases ends with spontaneous recovery; only 5% develop a chronic form. At the same time, the risk of hepatitis D infection through contact with the blood or biological fluids of an infected person remains high.
The specialist also emphasized that more than half of patients with hepatitis B do not experience any symptoms. A small number of individuals may develop jaundice and dark urine. With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the disease can be controlled.
In patients already infected with hepatitis B, the infection with hepatitis D significantly accelerates the development of liver cirrhosis compared to those with only hepatitis B.
In Kyrgyzstan, medications such as tenofovir, tenofovir alafenamide, and entecavir are used to treat chronic hepatitis B. Treatment usually continues for a lifetime, and more than 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis B require it.
As for the treatment of hepatitis D, Sarymsakov noted that until recently, the only available option was interferon, which has limited effectiveness and numerous contraindications. "Recently, the European Medicines Agency approved a new drug bulevirtide, which prevents the virus from entering liver cells and is used in combination with other agents," he added. However, new medications for the treatment of hepatitis D are still unavailable in Kyrgyzstan.
