Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?

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Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States

Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 04/28/2011

Cohen C et al. - Despite the fact that there are between 1.4 and 2 million

chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in the United States, fewer than 50,

000 people per year receive prescriptions for HBV antiviral medications.

• 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.

• 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:

â—¦ the potentially large number of infected persons who are unscreened and thus

remain undiagnosed

â—¦ lack of access, including insurance, education and referral to appropriate

medical care, particularly for disproportionately infected populations

-----------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jvh/2011/00000018/00000006/art00001

Journal of Viral Hepatitis, Volume 18, Number 6

Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?

Authors: Cohen, C.1; Holmberg, S. D.2; McMahon, B. J.3; Block, J. M.1; Brosgart,

C. L.4; Gish, R. G.5; London, W. T.; Block, T. M.1

Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, Volume 18, Number 6, June 2011 , pp.

377-383(7)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

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.

Document Type: Review article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01401.x

Affiliations:1: Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA 2: Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division of Viral

Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB

Prevention, Atlanta, GA 3: Alaska Native Medical Center, Liver Disease and

Hepatitis, Anchorage, AK 4: Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland 5:

California Pacific Medical Center, Liver Transplant Program, San Francisco, CA

Publication date: 2011-06-01

[Guest guest]

http://www.mdlinx.com/infectious-disease/newsl-article.cfm/3580313/ZZ68065536792\

5639220014/?news_id=497 & newsdt=042811 & subspec_id=130

Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States

Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 04/28/2011

Cohen C et al. - Despite the fact that there are between 1.4 and 2 million

chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in the United States, fewer than 50,

000 people per year receive prescriptions for HBV antiviral medications.

• 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.

• 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:

â—¦ the potentially large number of infected persons who are unscreened and thus

remain undiagnosed

â—¦ lack of access, including insurance, education and referral to appropriate

medical care, particularly for disproportionately infected populations

-----------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jvh/2011/00000018/00000006/art00001

Journal of Viral Hepatitis, Volume 18, Number 6

Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?

Authors: Cohen, C.1; Holmberg, S. D.2; McMahon, B. J.3; Block, J. M.1; Brosgart,

C. L.4; Gish, R. G.5; London, W. T.; Block, T. M.1

Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, Volume 18, Number 6, June 2011 , pp.

377-383(7)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

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.

Document Type: Review article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01401.x

Affiliations:1: Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA 2: Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division of Viral

Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB

Prevention, Atlanta, GA 3: Alaska Native Medical Center, Liver Disease and

Hepatitis, Anchorage, AK 4: Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland 5:

California Pacific Medical Center, Liver Transplant Program, San Francisco, CA

Publication date: 2011-06-01