ABSTRACT

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze etiological, epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings of adult patients with acute hepatitis hospitalized in our clinic.

Materials and Methods:

This study included 596 adult patients who were hospitalized with a preliminary diagnosis of acute hepatitis between 2001-2005. The age, gender, etiology, transmission routes, prodromal period, physical examination and laboratory findings were evaluated. ELISA and PCR methods have been used in detection of viral hepatitis markers.

Results:

Acute hepatitis B (53.5%) and hepatitis A (35.9%) were the most common types in our patients aged between 16-85. Dental treatment (5.7%) was found as the most common risk factor in view of transmission. However, transmission route could not been determined in the majority of cases (83.3%). The most common complaints were jaundice, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, darkening of urine, respectively. The most common findings were jaundice, hepatomegaly and fever, respectively. Acute liver failure developed in eight patients with cases of acute hepatitis B and mortality rate was determined as 0.3%.

Conclusion:

Viral pathogens especially HBV is in the first place in acute hepatitis,. Although dental treatment is considered as important for the transmission, the source of exposure is not known in most of the cases. Hepatic failure and mortality is more frequently seen in acute hepatitis B compared with other hepatitis viruses.