Low Performance of Hepatitis Delta Virus Testing Among 2 National Cohorts of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in the United States
Robert J. Wong, Harvey W. Kaufman, Justin K. Niles, Cheng Chen, Zeyuan Yang, Hema Kapoor, Ramsey Cheung, Robert G. Gish
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate hepatitis delta virus (HDV) testing patterns among US adults with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: HDV testing was evaluated among CHB patients using Quest Diagnostics (2016-2020) and Veterans Affairs (2010-2020) data. RESULTS: Among 157,333 CHB patients (Quest), 6.7% received HDV testing, among which 2.2% were positive. HDV testing was higher in male patients, younger individuals, and patients with advanced liver disease. Among 12,002 CHB patients (Veterans Affairs), 19.7% received HDV testing, among which 3.1% were positive. HDV testing was higher in younger individuals and Asians. DISCUSSION: Low HDV testing was observed among 2 large US cohorts of adults with CHB.