Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important health problem in Turkey. Mortality and morbidity rates arise by accompanion of Hepatitis D infection (HDV). Prevalence of Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) in HBV-positive individuals varies according to the regions in Turkey with 20% occurence in the western and up to 46% in the eastern parts. The aim of this study is to assess the presence of HDV in HBV patients applying to the center of our study.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1025 patient records were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty-four were excluded due to insufficient case data; the remaining 941 patients were included in the review process. Patients were divided into those with chronic hepatitis B (group A) and those with liver cirrhosis (group B). HDV presence in both groups was assessed and compared between each group.

Results: Of all 941 patients included in the study, 857 (91%) had chronic hepatitis B (Group A) and 84 (9%) had liver cirrhosis (Group B). Among group A patients, 62% were male and 38% were women; average age was 42±13 years. Group B patients were 77% male and 23% female; mean age was 54±14 years. Among all patients, HDV seropositivity was 3.4%, with 1.8% among group A patients and 20% in Group B (P= 0.001). Results were assessed by Chi-Square test and t–test. Group B patients were found to have significantly higher age (P= 0.007) and HDV seropositivity (P= 0.004) compared to group A patients.

Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients were found to have 11-fold higher presence of HDV compared to non-cirrhotic patients.