Sex-based differences in hepatitis delta virus infection: Insights from the Italian PITER hepatitis delta virus cohort

Figure 4 Number of comorbidities by sex in hepatitis delta virus-RNA positive patients and their eligibility for peg-interferon. ¹Estimated by the presence of liver-related contraindications and extra-hepatic comorbidities. ²Absolute contraindications: Child-Pugh class B/C cirrhosis; Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis with portal hypertension (ascites, esophageal varices, platelets < 100000/μL); Portal thrombosis; Autoimmune diseases (hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis); Psychiatric disturbances; Ischemic heart disease; Ischemic brain disease; Inflammatory bowel disease; Celiac disease; Psoriasis; Solid tumors under chemotherapy. ³Relative contraindications: Age ≥ 70 years; Renal failure grade 4-5; Thalassemia trait; Nasal lymphoma. ⁴Among these male patients, 39.8% had received interferon therapy. ⁵Among these female patients, 31.5% had received interferon therapy. HDV: Hepatitis delta virus; IFN: Interferon.