Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms.

Survey of HIV and hepatitis B or C co-infection management in the UK 2004.

de Silva S, Brook MG, Curtis H, Johnson M,

Mortimer Market Centre, Capper Street, London WC1E 5AU, UK. shamela.desilva@camdenpct.nhs.uk

The objective of this study is to evaluate the current management practices of patients with HIV and hepatitis B or C co-infection. A postal survey was made of 186 clinics in the UK between October 2003 and January 2004. In total, 100/186 (54%) clinics responded: 16% estimated their hepatitis B prevalence to be above 10%, 27% estimated their hepatitis C to be above 10%. Problems were identified in a minority of clinics including: not routinely screening HIV-positive patients for hepatitis C (6%), restrictions on diagnostic tests required for the management of hepatitis infection and offering inappropriate treatment for hepatitis B infection. The use of diagnostic liver biopsies varied and clinics reported restrictions on access to hepatitis C therapy, with a consequent impact on waiting times. In conclusion, we identified several areas of concern in the diagnosis and management of HIV/hepatitis co-infection in several UK HIV treatment centres.

Published 10 January 2007 in Int J STD AIDS, 17(12): 799-801.
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