The NIHR Health Informatics Collaborative (HIC) Viral hepatitis and Liver Disease theme is collecting electronic health care records from people infected with viruses that predominantly affect the liver, to use in research for patient benefit.

The NIHR HIC Viral Hepatitis Theme has developed a database of anonymised clinical data:

• to address important questions related to clinical outcomes in viral hepatitis
• to share clinical data to demonstrate its usefulness in clinical research

The NIHR Health Informatics Collaborative (HIC) Viral hepatitis and Liver Disease theme is collecting electronic health care records from people infected with viruses that predominantly affect the liver, to use in research for patient benefit.

Our main focus is currently advancing hepatitis B research. Chronic hepatitis B infection affects 254 million people globally and caused around 1.1 million deaths in 2022, primarily from cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]). We are leading a nationwide initiative, building on clinical expertise to collect and analyse mass real-world data from electronic patient records using multidisciplinary techniques (informatics, engineering, and analytics). This programme aims to understand the clinical trajectories and outcomes of HBV infection, including responses to antiviral therapy, development of advanced liver disease stage and liver cancer (HCC), and HBsAg loss.

We are also evaluating the impact of recently expanded treatment guidelines, the effectiveness of combination antiviral therapies, and examining how other health conditions (comorbidities) and metabolic factors affect disease outcomes. Additionally, we are investigating factors associated with care discontinuation. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfection, which may worsen outcomes in people with hepatitis B, will also be characterised in terms of its prevalence in the UK and its impact on progression to severe liver disease. By informing intervention and care strategies, this programme is working towards better patient care and health outcomes for people living with hepatitis B in the UK and globally.

The NIHR HIC Viral Hepatitis Theme has developed a database of anonymised clinical data:

• to address important questions related to clinical outcomes in viral hepatitis
• to share clinical data to demonstrate its usefulness in clinical research

The database has been fully reviewed by the National Research Ethics Service.