Treatment uptake in CHB patients

Antiviral treatment has been shown to effectively suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hence reduce the risk of complications. However, less than 1% of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients had received antiviral treatment. This study evaluated the treatment uptake rates of CHB patients in Hong Kong as well as the factors causing low rate of treatment initiation. Normal platelet count, which reflects less advanced liver disease, hinders patients from receiving antiviral treatment even when they have fulfilled the criteria. As a result, it is important to identify non-cirrhotic patients with significant liver fibrosis. (J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Aug 17. doi: 10.1111/jgh.15664. Online ahead of print.)

Anyone interested in future collaboration in this field of research is welcome to contact our key investigator Prof Grace WONG from the Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK. Prof Wong’s research focuses on Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and chronic viral hepatitis, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of liver.