Published online Jul 28, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i28.3163
Peer-review started: May 28, 2018
First decision: June 15, 2018
Revised: June 20, 2018
Accepted: June 28, 2018
Article in press: June 28, 2018
Published online: July 28, 2018
Processing time: 60 Days and 3.5 Hours
Chronic viral hepatitis B (CHB) is popular chronic condition in Asia-Pacific region. CHB is established risk factor of primary liver cancer that is second leading cause of cancer-related death. Health-related behaviors like as smoking, alcohol, body weight and physical activity are critical determinants of chronic illness. Most hepatitis B patients perceive that they are healthy because of asymptomatic and nonspecific nature of CHB. Such misunderstanding may cause inappropriate health behavior.
For the prevention of liver cancer, it seems important to manage these modifiable health behaviors. But few studies have described the health-related behaviors of chronic hepatitis B patients.
Our study evaluated the frequencies of five health-related behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, body weight, sleep duration, and physical activity) in Korean adults with CHB and association between these health behaviors and subjective health status.
Data were obtained from 5887 subjects (2568 males, 3319 females) over 19 years old enrolled in the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A self-administered questionnaire and medical examination were performed to assess health-related behaviors. A chi-squared test was performed for comparisons of health behaviors between the CHB and negative groups. A t-test using a general linear model was used to compare selfperceived health status between the two groups.
Among males, the current smoking rate in the HBsAg positive group was higher than that in the negative group (45.5% vs 38.5%). In the positive group, the rates of monthly and high-risk alcohol use were 70.4% and 17.6% in males and 45.9% and 3.8% in females, respectively. The rate of alcohol use was similar between the two groups. In the HBsAg positive group, 32.3% and 49.9% of males and 26.5% and 49.6% of females were overweight and physically inactive, respectively. High-risk alcohol consumption and physical inactivity were significantly associated with self-perceived health status.
Our study revealed that a large-percentage of Korean adults with chronic hepatitis B have poor health behaviors, particularly regarding tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. These individuals must be encouraged to improve their health behaviors and to participate in appropriate education programs.
These findings will facilitate the development of alternative strategies to prevent liver cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Future prospective study is required to confirm our findings.