Top hepatitis stories for Hepatitis Awareness Month

As Hepatitis Awareness Month comes to an end, Healio.com/Hepatology and HCV Next have compiled a list of the latest, most relevant research on hepatitis B and C virus infections published on Healio.com in May.

CDC: More people die of HCV than any other infectious disease

The CDC reports that the number of hepatitis C virus infection-related deaths reached an all-time high of 19,659 in 2014, making hepatitis C the number one infectious disease that kills people.

“More must be done to stop new infections resulting from injection drug use, including the implementation of comprehensive prevention programs that comprise, among other things, rapid links to medical care, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile injection equipment,” Kathleen N. Ly, MPH, told Healio.com/Hepatology. Read more

Kathleen N. Ly

HHS recognizes need for 'partnership' with hepatitis researchers

“It will take a diverse set of stakeholders to make sure we get the action we need on viral hepatitis,” Karen DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, said. Read more

Hepatitis Testing Day: 4 studies show increased testing rates

“We can’t treat and cure infections we don’t know exist,” Michael Saag, MD, Co-Editor in Chief of HCV Next, told Healio.com/Hepatology. “Yes, there are barriers to access to treatment, including high price of drugs and limited numbers of providers who feel comfortable treating the infection, but both of these issues are surmountable if we have the will and purpose.” Read more

Michael Saag

ASTRAL studies: New combination yields encouraging patient-reported outcomes

SAN DIEGO — Treatment with velpatasvir/sofosbuvir was associated with improvements in a number of patient self-reported quality of life measures, according to findings presented at Digestive Disease Week 2016 by Zobair M. Younossi, MD. Read more

Zobair M. Younossi

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Collaboration improves HBV screening, linkage-to-care for Asians

“These findings demonstrate the receptivity of diverse Asian communities to hepatitis B screening and counseling,” Julie Dang, MPH, and colleagues wrote. Read more

DAA non-adherence results in lower virologic response rates

SAN DIEGO — Non-adherence to novel direct-acting antiviral therapies resulted in a 19% reduction in sustained virologic response at 12 weeks, according to findings presented at Digestive Disease Week 2016. Read more

Antiviral prophylaxis cost-effective to prevent perinatal HBV transmission

The use of an antiviral prophylaxis strategy in pregnant women with high hepatitis B virus infection viral load was more cost-effective for reducing the number of perinatal transmissions vs. current and universal vaccination strategies.

“There is no doubt that preventing transmission of hepatitis B has shown numerous health benefits and there is no doubt that eliminating viral hepatitis B by adapting prophylactic measures not only in the U.S., but worldwide should be a top priority because we can do it and we should not waiver on this issue,” Jamile Wakim-Fleming, MD, FACG, told Healio.com/Hepatology in an accompanying perspective on the study. Read more

Integrated HCV testing model successfully increases linkage-to-care

Researchers from the National Nursing Centers Consortium and Philadelphia Department of Public Health successfully implemented a routine hepatitis C virus infection testing model that increased testing and linkage-to-care among at-risk populations. Read more

Statin use reduces risk for cirrhosis, decompensation in HBV

“Statins independently reduce cirrhosis and its decompensation in chronic hepatitis B patients. This protective effect was stronger with higher dosage and longer duration of statin use,” Yi-Wen Huang, MD, PhD, and colleagues wrote. Read more

FDA issues recommendations for development of DAAs for HCV

The FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research issued a draft of recommendations for industry use on the development of direct-acting antiviral drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Read more