Chronic hepatitis B
Article Abstract:
Chronic hepatitis B affects approximately five percent of the population of the world and it is the ninth leading cause of death. This data suggests that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most important of the viral infections in humans. In this country, it is not listed as a major cause of illness or death and it is not a disease of the general population, yet it is in Asia and Africa. It is found in certain high-risk groups: intravenous drug abusers, male homosexuals, promiscuous heterosexuals, health care workers, recipients of blood or blood products, and immigrants from endemic areas. Chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) are asymptomatic and are usually referred to as healthy carriers, and patients with chronic hepatitis usually have minimal liver disease. In the August 2, 1990 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, there is a comprehensive report of the use of interferon alfa in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The course and outcome of chronic hepatitis B are related to the patient and the features of the patient's immunologic system rather than the virus itself. Interferon alfa is currently seen as the best available treatment for this disease; however, it is only effective in 30 to 40 percent of patients and should be reserved for those who would benefit most. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1990
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Chronic viral hepatitis - benefits of current therapies
Article Abstract:
Most of the treatments for hepatitis B and hepatitis C only benefit a small percentage of patients, but newer drugs are in development. Interferon alpha was approved for use against hepatitis C in 1991 and hepatitis B in 1992. A 1996 study that followed 103 patients who took interferon alpha found that five-year survival rates were 95% in those who successfully cleared hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) but less than 50% in those who did not. However, only 53 patients responded to therapy as indicated by clearance of HBeAG. Six patients died from liver disease and 10 developed other complications. Lamivudine and famciclovir are two promising treatments that have been shown to be safe and effective in chronic hepatitis B. Ribavirin has had mixed results in treating hepatitis C but may be more effective when combined with interferon alpha.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1996
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The treatment of chronic viral hepatitis
Article Abstract:
Interferon alfa remains the most useful treatment for chronic viral hepatitis, but it has considerable drawbacks. Three varieties of hepatitis can cause chronic infection and lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer: hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), and D (HDV). Interferon alfa induces long-term remission in as much as 40% of HBV patients and 25% of HCV and HDV patients. Adverse effects are common and occasionally life-threatening. New virus-killing drugs such as famciclovir, lamivudine, lobucavir, adefovir dipivoxil show promise for HBV treatment, and ribavarin may prove helpful in treating HBC.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1997
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