Premium
An overview of hepatitis B prevalence, prevention, and management in the P acific I slands and T erritories
Author(s) -
Howell Jessica,
Van Gemert Caroline,
Lemoine Maud,
Thursz Mark,
Hellard Margaret
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/jgh.12684
Subject(s) - medicine , cirrhosis , liver cancer , liver disease , hepatitis b virus , hepatitis b , cancer , hepatitis c , hepatocellular carcinoma , immunology , gastroenterology , gerontology , virus
There are over 500–750 000 deaths per year because of hepatitis B virus ( HBV )‐related cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide and the W orld H ealth O rganization W estern P acific R egion has some of the highest endemic levels of HBV in the world, particularly within C hina, S outh E ast A sia and P acific I sland C ountries and T erritories ( PICT ). The PICT have unique ethnic diversity and a very high prevalence of smoking and metabolic syndrome, both important risk factors for liver fibrosis and liver cancer. However, in contrast to many A sian countries, there is little published data on HBV prevalence and related liver disease burden in PICT . In this review, the available published literature and W orld H ealth O rganization data for HBV prevalence and related liver disease and liver cancer burden in PICT is outlined, and unmet needs for improving HBV prevention and control in the region are highlighted.