Adherence to ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients on antiviral treatment: Results from a randomized controlled trial using real-time medication monitoring.

Background And Objective: Adherence is essential in antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. We investigated the effect of real-time medication monitoring on adherence to ribavirin.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, patients in the intervention group received a medication dispenser that monitored ribavirin intake real-time during 24 weeks PEG-interferon/ribavirin±boceprevir or telaprevir.

Real life adherence of chronic hepatitis B patients to entecavir treatment.

Background: Real-life prospective data on adherence to nucleos(t)ide analogues in chronic hepatitis B patients are scarce.

Aims: We investigated adherence to entecavir in relation to virological response.

Methods: In this prospective study, we provided 100 consecutive chronic hepatitis B patients with a medication dispenser that monitored entecavir intake during 16 weeks therapy.

Patient adherence to antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B and C: a systematic review.

Introduction: Poor adherence to treatment for various chronic diseases is a frequent phenomenon. Current guidelines for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) recommend optimal adherence, since it has been suggested that poor adherence is associated with an increased risk of virological failure. We aimed to give an overview of studies exploring adherence to combination treatment (PEG-interferon plus ribavirin) for HCV and nucleos(t)ide analogues for HBV.

Bacterial infections in cirrhosis: role of proton pump inhibitors and intestinal permeability.

Background:   Cirrhotic patients are at considerable risk for bacterial infections, possibly through increased intestinal permeability and bacterial overgrowth. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase infection risk. We aimed to explore the potential association between PPI use and bacterial infection risk in cirrhotic patients and potential underlying mechanisms in complementary patient and animal models.

The "Von Meyenburg complex": an unusual cause of cholangitis?

Von Meyenburg complexes are an unusual incidental finding at radiologic or pathologic evaluation of patients with suspected liver disease. We present a case report of a patient with recurrent septic episodes in whom von Meyenburg complexes were eventually diagnosed and discuss available literature on this topic.

Suboptimal endogenous erythropoietin response in chronic hepatitis C patients during ribavirin and PEG interferon treatment.

Background: During the treatment of hepatitis C, anaemia may necessitate pegylated-interferon and ribavirin dose reductions with reduced sustained viral response rates. Although erythropoietic growth factors are frequently used to improve anaemia, it is controversial whether endogenous erythropoietic response is insufficient under these circumstances. We aimed to identify risk factors for more pronounced anaemia and to evaluate endogenous erythropoietic response during antiviral therapy.