New horizons in hepatitis B and C in the older adult

• Published in: Age and ageing Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 32 - 37
• Main Authors: Kemp, Linda, Clare, Kathleen E, Brennan, Paul N, Dillon, John F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.01.2019; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aging; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Bloodborne viruses; Cancer; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - etiology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - virology; Chronic infection; Cirrhosis; Cure; Drug abuse; Drug therapy; Epidemiology; Health risk assessment; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B - classification; Hepatitis B - diagnosis; Hepatitis B - drug therapy; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C - diagnosis; Hepatitis C - drug therapy; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Homosexuality; Humans; Infections; Intravenous administration; Intravenous drugs; Liver cancer; Liver cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis - etiology; Liver Cirrhosis - virology; Liver Neoplasms - etiology; Liver Neoplasms - virology; Men; Natural history; Older people; Risk Factors; Sexual behavior; Sexual partners; older people; hepatitis B; hepatitis C; hepatocellular carcinoma; cirrhosis
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afy170

Abstract Hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV), are blood-borne viruses that can cause acute hepatitis; but are clinically relevant because chronic infection is associated with development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Both these viruses are becoming more common in the older population, due to the ageing of generations exposed to the risk factors associated with infection; intravenous drug use, multiple sexual partners and men who have sex with men. This review will cover the natural history and epidemiology of these infections as well as the revolution in drug therapy that now allows cure of HCV infection and complete control of HBV infection.