A comparison of hepatitis B viral markers of patients in different clinical stages of chronic infection.

Purpose: Hepatitis B viral markers may be useful for predicting outcomes such as liver-related deaths or development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We determined the frequency of these markers in different clinical stages of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Methods: We compared baseline hepatitis B viral markers in 317 patients who were enrolled in a prospective study and identified the frequency of these tests in immune-tolerant (IT) patients, in inactive carriers, and in patients with either hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive or HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma improves survival in Asian-American patients with hepatitis B: results from a community-based clinic.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy in Asians with hepatitis B virus infection. HCC patients often present with poor liver function and large tumors resulting in rapid mortality. The impact of HCC surveillance and subsequent therapy on patient survival remain controversial.

Factors associated with progression to hepatocellular carcinoma and to death from liver complications in patients with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis B viral markers and liver tests were used as predictors for development of hepatocellular carcinoma and progression to end-stage liver disease in 128 cirrhosis patients with hepatitis B.

Results: During a median follow-up of 63.5 months, 28 patients (21.

Treatment recommendations for chronic hepatitis B: an evaluation of current guidelines based on a natural history study in the United States.

Unlabelled: Current guidelines for treatment of chronic hepatitis B include hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status, levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values in the setting of either chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Based on findings from a prospective study of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients, we determined whether these guidelines included patients who developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and who died of non-HCC liver-related complications. The criteria for treatment from four published guidelines were matched to a cohort of 369 HBsAg-positive patients enrolled in the study.

The emerging importance of chronic hepatitis C infection in Asian Americans.

Objectives: To study the demographics, epidemiology, and natural history of chronic hepatitis C in Asian Americans.

Methods: This retrospective survey describes 260 Asian Americans with chronic hepatitis C referred to one tertiary center.

Results: Ninety-two percent of patients were born in Asia.