Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01401.x/abstract

REVIEW

Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?

C. Cohen1, S. D. Holmberg2, B. J. McMahon3, J. M. Block1, C. L. Brosgart4, R. G.

Gish5, W. T. London1,6, T. M. Block1Article first published

online: 8 DEC 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01401.x

© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Issue

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 18, Issue 6, pages 377–383, June 2011

Summary

 

Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for

development of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure and

primary liver cancer. There are now seven antiviral agents approved by the

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of chronic

HBV infection. Despite the fact that there are between 1.4 and 2 million chronic

HBV infections in the United States, fewer than 50 000 people per year receive

prescriptions for HBV antiviral medications. This report discusses possible

explanations for the disparity between the number of people who are chronically

infected and the number of people who receive treatment. Explanations for this

incongruence include the potentially large number of infected persons who are

unscreened and thus remain undiagnosed, and lack of access, including insurance,

education and referral to appropriate medical care, particularly for

disproportionately infected populations.