Trends in the Burden of Hepatitis B in a Southern Brazilian State

BACKGROUND: Viral hepatitis is a major health problem in Brazil and worldwide. The state of Santa Catarina has high endemic areas, and the disease burden is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate and analyze the burden of hepatitis B in the state of Santa Catarina, in 2005 - 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A time-series analysis was conducted using notification data of incidence and mortality rates from hepatitis B. The Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) and the components Years of Life Lost (YLL) and Years Lived with Disability (YLD) were calculated. The annual variation was estimated using segmented linear regression, identifying the points at which there were changes in the trend. RESULTS: The state of Santa Catarina showed an increase of 11.9% (95% CI 0.9, 24.2) per year in YLL rates. A significant increase was observed for men and within the 70 - 79 age group. There was a significant decrease of -9.4% (95% CI -16.1, -2.2) in the YLD rates per year. The decline was significant for women and within the 15-34 age group. Regarding the DALY rates, the state of Santa Catarina showed a decline of -6.6% (95% CI: -11.0, -2.0) per year. Significant decreases occurred for females and within the 15 - 29 and 45 - 59 age groups. However, there was a significant increase within the 70 - 79 age range. CONCLUSIONS: The state of Santa Catarina has reduced the disease burden rates attributed to disability from hepatitis B, but there has been an increase in the burden of premature mortality from 2005 to 2010.