Individualizing care of hepatitis B in older adults and Asians.
OBJECTIVE
To review the pathophysiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) as it relates to special groups such as older adults and Asian populations and to stratify preventive services relative to these particular populations.


METHODS
Selected scientific literature and practice guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The HBV is one of the most common causes of viral hepatitis. Acute infection is mostly self-limiting with nonspecific symptoms. Chronic infection is characterized by persistent serum levels of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for more than six months.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic HBV is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Special populations, such as older adults with decreased immune response and Asians from places with high endemic HBV infection, are at particularly high risk for progression of HBV infection to chronic states and serious liver damage.
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D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha