title: Asian-Pacific consensus statement on the management of chronic hepatitis B: a 2005 update.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A large amount of new data on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B has become available such that the 2003 consensus statement requires revision and update.
  
  
  METHODS
  New data were presented, discussed and debated in an expert pre-meeting to draft a revision. The revised contents were finalized after discussion in a general meeting of APASL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Conceptual background, including the efficacy and safety profile of currently available and emerging drugs, was reviewed. Nineteen recommendations were formed and unresolved issues and areas for further study were suggested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current therapy of chronic hepatitis B is modestly effective but not satisfactory. The development of new drugs and new strategies is required to further improve the outcomes of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. liveryfl@so-net.net.tw
authors.forename: Yun-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: George K K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Merican
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCaughan
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gane
authors.forename: Jia-Horng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omata
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001208:Asia; D001315:Australia; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010139:Pacific Islands; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents