Hepatitis B seroprevalence and disease characteristics in an urban Chinatown community.

Background & Aims: Chronic HBV infection is prevalent among Asian immigrants and is an important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HBsAg seroprevalence and to characterize hepatitis B in persons who presented to an urban Chinatown internal medicine practice.

Methods: Records were reviewed retrospectively from 4671 adult patients who had at least 1 office visit during a 2-year period.