CHARACTERIZATION OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS PATIENTS BASED ON BPJS KESEHATAN SAMPLE DATA, 2015-2023

Background: Chronic hepatitis remains a significant global health concern, particularly in Southeast Asia. Indonesia faces a growing burden of chronic hepatitis B and C infections, yet large-scale population-based analyses remain limited. This study aims to characterize the demographic and clinical profiles of chronic hepatitis patients in Indonesia using national health insurance data. Objective: To describe the demographic distribution, healthcare utilization patterns, and associated comorbidities of chronic hepatitis patients based on BPJS Kesehatan sample data from 2015 to 2023. Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was employed using the BPJS Kesehatan National Health Insurance Sample Database covering the years 2015–2023. Patients with a primary diagnosis of chronic hepatitis were identified. Variables analyzed included demographic factors (age, province of residence, and insurance class), healthcare facility type, and clinical comorbidities. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results: A total of 1,370 chronic hepatitis cases were identified. The highest number of cases occurred in Central Java (15.33%), East Java (12.55%), and West Java (8.39%). Most patients received care in Type C hospitals (584 patients), followed by Type B (347) and Type A (291). Nearly half of the patients (47%) were BPJS Class 3 members, indicating a predominance among lower socioeconomic groups. The most common hepatic complications were liver cirrhosis (12.03%), hepatocellular carcinoma (4.16%), and hepatic failure (1.17%). Non-hepatic comorbidities included functional dyspepsia (3.8%), diabetes mellitus type 2 (3.35%), and hypertension (1.62%). Conclusion: The analysis highlights that chronic hepatitis in Indonesia predominantly affects individuals in their productive age, with the highest concentration in the Java region and among lower-income populations. These findings underscore the need for strengthened public health interventions, including early screening, vaccination, and equitable access to care, particularly in high-burden regions. Keywords: Chronic hepatitis, BPJS Kesehatan, epidemiology, liver disease, Indonesia