Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
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Gender differences prevail in the infections caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Four hundred and seventy two patients with HBV infection were selected for the study. The frequency of hepatic infection in males was 79.5% (n=375) and in females 20.5% (n=97), with a male to female ratio of 3.8:1. ⋯ Male dominance was found to be consistent in all categories of patients. When the patients were divided into groups according to age, the male to female ratio increased during the reproductive years. There may be an influence of estrogen in the protection and defense of hepatic cells against the development of chronic liver disease.