Epidemiology and economic importance of hepatitis B in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Hepatitis is among the five most important notifiable infectious diseases in the Federal Republic of Germany where 15,000-20,000 new cases are reported annually. A total of 60,000 cases per year may actually occur when the presumed high incidence of unreported hepatitis is taken into consideration. Hepatitis B probably represents 35%-40% of these hepatitis cases. When considering the reported (7000/year) and unreported cases, 30,000 new infections may occur each year. Drug addicts with infection rates of over 80% and prison inmates with up to 72% of hepatitis B markers are the most important risk groups as well as patients from haemodialysis units (60%), haemophiliacs, and newborns of mothers who are HBV carriers. Medical personnel, with an infection rate of 15%-26%, are at significantly greater risk than the general public. Hepatitis B results in enormous annual health costs. Calculations based on 30,000 new cases per year indicate that the costs for therapy, rehabilitation, as well as loss of work-hours and income lie between 842 and 1113 million DM. The frequency of hepatitis B, its potential for temporary or prolonged health impairment, and the significant economic implications make it imperative to develop meaningful strategies for control.