Chronic Hepatitis B in US Veterans

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes recent data on chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) epidemiology, issues in special populations undergoing immunosuppressive and hepatitis C virus (HCV) direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, and describes care delivery, adherence to guideline-recommended care, and barriers to access to care and high-quality care for chronic HBV.Recent FindingsChronic HBV is present in up to 1% of veterans and is more than in the general US population. HBV is associated with more advanced liver disease in HCV, HIV, and delta hepatitis co-infection. Recent data on HBV reactivation show a substantial risk of reactivation with anti-CD20 antibodies, no documented cases of reactivation with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy, and a low risk of reactivation with HCV DAA therapy. Adherence to guideline-recommended care for HBV is suboptimal for many quality indicators.SummaryImportant studies in HBV epidemiology, long-term outcomes, and care delivery practices have been conducted in the VA. Future studies should prospectively investigate how to improve guideline-recommended care for HBV.
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research