Changing prevalence, clinical features, and outcome of acute hepatitis in Spain (1982-2003)

Background:  Diagnostic and preventive measures have contributed to a change in the epidemiology of acute hepatitis. The purpose of the present paper was to assess the changing prevalence of acute hepatitis from 1982 to 2003. Methods:  Trends in the epidemiology, clinical findings, and outcome of acute viral hepatitis from 1982 to 2003 were examined. A total of 548 episodes of acute hepatitis diagnosed between 1982 and 2003, the clinical course of which was monitored up to the year 2003, were included. Annual changes as well as for the intervals 1982–1992 and 1993–2003 were compared. Results:  Severe infections occurred in 1.3% of cases, with a mortality of 0.6%, with progression into chron…