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REVIEW
Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?
Article first published online: 8 DEC 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01401.x
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Additional Information
How to Cite
Cohen, C., Holmberg, S. D., McMahon, B. J., Block, J. M., Brosgart, C. L., Gish, R. G., London, W. T. and Block, T. M. (2011), Is chronic hepatitis B being undertreated in the United States?. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 18: 377–383. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01401.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 APR 2011
- Article first published online: 8 DEC 2010
- Received June 2010; accepted for publication October 2010
- Abstract
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Keywords:
- alanine aminotransferase;
- Asian and Pacific Islander;
- barriers to health care;
- chronic HBV infection;
- HBV treatment;
- hepatitis B DNA;
- hepatitis B virus;
- hepatocellular carcinoma;
- intravenous drug user
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.