Doctors and liver specialists in Alberta are working together to improve the detection and management of hepatitis B and hepatitis D, with new testing and treatment protocols helping identify more patients and reduce specialist wait times.

Hepatitis viruses can damage the liver for years without causing noticeable symptoms. If left untreated, hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis D, which can only infect people who have hepatitis B, is considered a more aggressive form of the disease and carries a greater risk of serious liver complications.

Dr. Abdel-Aziz Shaheen, an associate professor of medicine and liver disease specialist at the University of Calgary, worked with geography researchers to identify areas where hepatitis B cases are more common. Their analysis identified higher concentrations in northeast Calgary as well as north and central Edmonton.

The findings closely matched areas with significant populations of newcomers from regions where hepatitis B is more prevalent. Alberta and Canada have had universal hepatitis B vaccination programs since the 1990s, but specialists say continued immigration from countries with higher rates of the disease makes testing and awareness increasingly important.

Improving Hepatitis D Testing

Researchers also found significant gaps in hepatitis D testing across Alberta. Although hepatitis D can cause more severe liver damage, testing was relatively low and inconsistent across the province.

New clinical pathways are now helping address the problem. Under the updated approach, patients who test positive for hepatitis B can automatically be assessed for hepatitis D, making it easier to identify people at higher risk.

Dr. Carla Coffin, a hepatologist and clinician scientist at the University of Calgary, said structured clinical pathways can help primary-care doctors follow clear guidelines for testing, treatment and follow-up.

The changes have already resulted in a significant increase in referrals for hepatitis D testing, with referrals reportedly increasing fourfold.

Liver Specialist Wait Times Cut Dramatically

Another major improvement has been the reduction in waiting times for patients who need to see a liver specialist.

University of Calgary specialists recently reported reducing the wait for a hepatology appointment from more than 18 months to approximately six weeks.

Doctors say shorter waiting times are particularly important because patients can lose contact with the health-care system while waiting for specialist care. For newcomers, challenges such as finding employment, supporting families and adapting to a new country can make it even harder to maintain medical appointments.

Health-care professionals say the combination of better testing, faster referrals and improved coordination between primary-care doctors and liver specialists could help Alberta identify hepatitis cases earlier and prevent serious liver complications.