title: Clinical characteristics and current management of hepatitis B and C in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a population of outpatients in China infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV), and assess their current management status.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicenter, cross-sectional study of HBV- and/or HCV-infected patients was conducted from August to November, 2011 in western China. Patients ≥ 18 years of age with HBV and/or HCV infections who visited outpatient departments at 10 hospitals were evaluated, whether treated or not. Data were collected on the day of visit from medical records and patient interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total 4010 outpatients were analyzed, including 2562 HBV-infected and 1406 HCV-infected and 42 HBV/HCV co-infected patients. The median duration of documented infection was 7.5 years in HBV-infected and 1.8 years in HCV-infected patients. Cirrhosis was the most frequent hepatic complication (12.2%), appearing in one-third of patients within 3 years prior to or at diagnosis. The HCV genotype was determined in only 10% of HCV-infected patients. Biopsy data were only available for 54 patients (1.3%). Antiviral medications had been received by 58.2% of patients with HBV infection and 66.6% with HCV infection. Nucleos(t)ide analogs were the major antiviral medications prescribed for HBV-infected patients (most commonly adefovir dipivoxil and lamivudine). Ribavirin + pegylated interferon was prescribed for two-thirds of HCV-infected patients. In the previous 12 mo, around one-fifth patients had been hospitalized due to HBV or HCV infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This observational, real-life study has identified some gaps between clinical practice and guideline recommendations in China. To achieve better health outcomes, several improvements, such as disease monitoring and optimizing antiviral regimens, should be made to improve disease management.
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Yue-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Zhong
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Ling-Yi
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Ying-Na
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Shu-Mei
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Yong-Tao Sun, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tangdu Hospital, Affiliated to the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Da-Zhi
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: Clinical characteristics; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Treatment