Published online Jun 27, 2020. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v12.i6.277
Peer-review started: February 9, 2020
First decision: March 18, 2020
Revised: April 7, 2020
Accepted: May 5, 2020
Article in press: May 5, 2020
Published online: June 27, 2020
Processing time: 139 Days and 11.9 Hours
Core tip: Our study shows that there has been a change in the delta hepatitis virus-infected patient profile in our unit. Most patients infected in the 1980s, due to intravenous drug abuse, have progressed to cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma and therefore still represent a significant burden on our Hepatology Unit. However, our main concern is with newly diagnosed patients, as there is a clear delay in the diagnosis of infection and cirrhosis. In addition, follow-up in their home countries has been poor. Most of them come from Eastern Europe and prior medical intervention was the main route of infection. We must also take into account the presence of comorbidities, e.g., metabolic syndrome and alcohol intake, which may contribute to the aggressive progression of the disease. Therefore, we must devote our efforts to controlling these aspects and finding an effective treatment, given the poor results offered by pegylated-α-interferon.