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(TDO)
[1–5] [PREPRINTER stage]
Trop Doct OnlineFirst, published on December 11, 2014 as doi:10.1177/0049475514561822
Article
Challenges in the management of chronic HBV infection in West Africa: The clinician’s perspective
Tropical Doctor 0(0) 1–5 ! The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0049475514561822 tdo.sagepub.com
Uchenna C Okonkwo1 and Charles A Onyekwere2
Abstract Background: Hepatitis B infection has become a public health issue in recent years. Approximately 350 million of the world’s population are chronically infected reaching endemic proportions in West Africa. Guidelines for treatment are continuously improving but are becoming more complex. Aim: To determine the challenges hepatologists experience in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among hepatologists in West Africa during a regional hepatitis conference in 2013. Results: Forty-six hepatologists completed the questionnaire. When evaluating a patient for chronic hepatitis B, the preferred investigations were: LFT (100%); abdominal ultrasound (93.5%); HBeAg (93.5%); HBV DNA (78%); HBsAg measure (22%); HBV genotype (15.2%); and liver biopsy (34.8%). Most had their patients on nucleoside/nucleotide analogue but follow-up visits after 1 year were problematic. Conclusion: The majority of hepatologists had good intentions regarding the evaluation of their patients, but only a small percentage of patients are properly investigated.
Keywords Chronic HBV infection, challenges, West Africa
Introduction Hepatitis B infection is the most widespread cause of chronic hepatitis in the world. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects one-third of the world’s population and 350 million people suffer from chronic infection.1 The global prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) viral infection, defined as HBsAg positivity lasting longer than 6 months, varies greatly.2 Most Western countries are classified as having low or intermediate endemicity based on HBsAg carrier rate of 10% from baseline if on NUCs and to
(TDO)
[1–5] [PREPRINTER stage]
Trop Doct OnlineFirst, published on December 11, 2014 as doi:10.1177/0049475514561822
Article
Challenges in the management of chronic HBV infection in West Africa: The clinician’s perspective
Tropical Doctor 0(0) 1–5 ! The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0049475514561822 tdo.sagepub.com
Uchenna C Okonkwo1 and Charles A Onyekwere2
Abstract Background: Hepatitis B infection has become a public health issue in recent years. Approximately 350 million of the world’s population are chronically infected reaching endemic proportions in West Africa. Guidelines for treatment are continuously improving but are becoming more complex. Aim: To determine the challenges hepatologists experience in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among hepatologists in West Africa during a regional hepatitis conference in 2013. Results: Forty-six hepatologists completed the questionnaire. When evaluating a patient for chronic hepatitis B, the preferred investigations were: LFT (100%); abdominal ultrasound (93.5%); HBeAg (93.5%); HBV DNA (78%); HBsAg measure (22%); HBV genotype (15.2%); and liver biopsy (34.8%). Most had their patients on nucleoside/nucleotide analogue but follow-up visits after 1 year were problematic. Conclusion: The majority of hepatologists had good intentions regarding the evaluation of their patients, but only a small percentage of patients are properly investigated.
Keywords Chronic HBV infection, challenges, West Africa
Introduction Hepatitis B infection is the most widespread cause of chronic hepatitis in the world. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects one-third of the world’s population and 350 million people suffer from chronic infection.1 The global prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) viral infection, defined as HBsAg positivity lasting longer than 6 months, varies greatly.2 Most Western countries are classified as having low or intermediate endemicity based on HBsAg carrier rate of 10% from baseline if on NUCs and to
