Background Multimorbidity among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection has emerged as a priority for healthcare and public health systems worldwide. Objective This study aimed to characterise time-trends in multimorbidities among patients with CHB infection.
We identified multimorbidity clusters and combinations and quantified their associations with healthcare services utilisation. Design A retrospective observational study, using electronic medical record data.
Setting A large tertiary general hospital in China. Participants The study included 23 137 patients with CHB infection admitted between 2011 and 2023.
Outcome measures Latent class analysis and association rule mining (ARM) were performed to identify multimorbidity clusters and combinations, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression quantified associations between the identified multimorbidity patterns and length of stay (LOS), daily expense and 1-year readmission for liver-related conditions (OYRL).
Results The mean number of multimorbidities among hospitalised patients with CHB infection was 2.82±1.89. From 2011 to 2023, mean age increased from 44.2±13.7 to 48.4±13.1 (p Conclusions Multimorbidity imposes a substantial burden on CHB-infected patients.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 02 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Multimorbidity patterns and their associations with healthcare services utilisation in inpatients with chronic hepatitis B infection from 2011 to 2023: a retrospective observational study.
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