In:
Liver International, Wiley, Vol. 36, No. 10 ( 2016-10), p. 1425-1432
Abstract:
In low‐endemic countries it is debated whether first‐generation migrants should be screened for chronic hepatitis B infection. We describe the clinical impact of five large‐scale Dutch screening projects for hepatitis B in first‐generation Chinese migrants. Methods Between 2009 and 2013 five independent outreach screening projects for hepatitis B targeting first‐generation Chinese migrants were conducted in five main Dutch regions. To explore the relevance of our screening we defined clinical impact as the presence of an indication for: (i) antiviral therapy, (ii) strict follow‐up because of high hepatitis B DNA levels and/or (iii) surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma. Results In total, 4423 persons participated in the projects of whom 6.0% ( n = 264) were HB sAg positive. One hundred and twenty‐nine newly diagnosed HB sAg‐positive patients were analysed in specialist care. Among these patients prevalence of cirrhosis was 6.9% and antiviral therapy for hepatitis B was started in 32 patients (25%). In patients without a treatment indication, strict follow‐up because of high hepatitis B DNA levels and/or surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma was considered indicated in 64 patients (50%). Conclusions In our screening project in first‐generation Chinese migrants, antiviral treatment, strict follow‐up because of high hepatitis B DNA levels and/or surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma were considered indicated in three of four analysed HB sAg‐positive patients. These data show that detection of hepatitis B in Chinese migrants can have considerable impact on patient care.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1478-3223
,
1478-3231
DOI:
10.1111/liv.2016.36.issue-10
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2016
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2124684-1
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