title: Internist diagnosis and management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in up to 25% of infected individuals. As many as 2 million individuals in the US may have chronic hepatitis B infection, most of whom immigrated to the US from hepatitis B-endemic regions of the world. A 2010 report from the Institute of Medicine noted that two thirds of patients with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection, and most health care providers do not screen for hepatitis B or know how to manage hepatitis B-positive patients. In 2010, the Hepatitis B Foundation convened a group of primary care providers to consider the existing evidenced-based recommendations and strategies for implementation of hepatitis B screening into routine practice. The group designed an easy-to-use algorithm for screening, initial evaluation, ongoing management, and referral to a subspecialist when appropriate. Internal medicine specialists, including primary care providers and subspecialists, need to understand the steps they can take to address this often under-recognized disorder.
authors.affiliation: Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haber
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: London
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perrillo
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neubauer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines