Survey of HIV and hepatitis B or C co-infection management in the UK 2004.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the current management practices of patients with HIV and hepatitis B or C co-infection. A postal survey was made of 186 clinics in the UK between October 2003 and January 2004. In total, 100/186 (54%) clinics responded: 16% estimated their hepatitis B prevalence to be above 10%, 27% estimated their hepatitis C to be above 10%. Problems were identified in a minority of clinics including: not routinely screening HIV-positive patients for hepatitis C (6%), restrictions on diagnostic tests required for the management of hepatitis infection and offering inappropriate treatment for hepatitis B infection. The use of diagnostic liver biopsies varied and clinics reported restrictions on access to hepatitis C therapy, with a consequent impact on waiting times. In conclusion, we identified several areas of concern in the diagnosis and management of HIV/hepatitis co-infection in several UK HIV treatment centres.
de Silva
S
S
Mortimer Market Centre, Capper Street, London WC1E 5AU, UK. shamela.desilva@camdenpct.nhs.uk
Brook
M G
MG
Curtis
H
H
Johnson
M
M
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D000998:Antiviral Agents