OBJECTIVES : 1. Assess whether mortality trends by liver causes has changed since vaccine introduction. 2.Assess the quality of mortality data on liver diseases as a potential instrument to assess the impact of Hepatitis B vaccination on liver chronic diseases.

METHODS : An ecological study was carried out to evaluate trends of mortality by liver diseases between 1990 and 2013. Two sources of information were used: the national mortality information system (DANE) and the Global Burden of Disease estimates made by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME-Seattle) for Colombia. Under registration of the national source of mortality was corrected using the PAHO method of proportional distribution Bennet Horiuchi

RESULTS : Across all ages, there was a 21% increase in mortality rates for all causes related to liver diseases between 1990 and 2013. However, National sources showed a decline in mortality rates by hepatic causes among < 20 yrs. old – who were born after the beginning of HBV universal vaccination - living in some departments. IHME data showed a strong decline of mortality by liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and acute hepatitis B in the same age group at national level. Mortality by liver related causes declined among people under 20 years between 10 and 80%

CONCLUSIONS : This analysis suggests that mortality by liver causes is in decline among cohorts born after implementation of HBV universal vaccination. However, data quality from national sources needs to improve if they are to be used for assessing HBV vaccination impact. Opportunities lie on international data bases such as those from INMH-Seattle that can be used to cross compare results from national data.