Treatment of chronic hepatitis B: Recommendations from an Italian workshop

• Published in: Digestive and liver disease Vol. 40; no. 8; pp. 603 - 617
• Main Authors: Carosi, G, Rizzetto, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2008
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Antiviral therapy; Cirrhosis; Drug Resistance, Viral; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; HBV; HCV; HDV; Hepatitis B Antibodies; Hepatitis B, Chronic - complications; Hepatitis B, Chronic - drug therapy; Hepatitis B, Chronic - immunology; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C - drug therapy; Hepatitis D - complications; Hepatitis D - drug therapy; HIV; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; Humans; Immune suppressed; Immunocompromised Host; Italy; Liver Cirrhosis - drug therapy; Liver Cirrhosis - immunology; Italy; Cirrhosis; Antiviral therapy; HIV; HCV; HDV; HBV; Immune suppressed
• ISSN: 1590-8658; 1878-3562
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2008.03.011

Abstract The changing scenario of hepatitis B virus therapy has encouraged the organisation of a workshop, endorsed by three Italian scientific societies, aimed at defining the current recommendations for hepatitis B virus treatment. Liver histology and stage of disease remain fundamental for treatment decisions; interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues-based therapy represent different strategies for different phases of the hepatitis B virus disease. The recommendations defined: new and lower cut-off of hepatitis B virus–DNA for eligibility to therapy according to disease stage, how to optimise the use of nucleoside/nucleotide analogues and to individualise the monitoring of response and what to do with treatment failures. Specific recommendations have also been given for cirrhosis patients, those immune suppressed and co-infected with HIV and other hepatitis viruses.