التاريخ : 25/01/2009
KUWAIT, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- The new guidelines for managing the chronic
Hepatitis B in Kuwait will help physicians to pick the right procedures for
pateints suffering from this disease, said Dr. Fuad Al-Ali, Dean of the
Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University.
Al-Ali, also head of Gastroenterology Unit at Mubarak Al Kaber Hospital
Sunday announced during a press conference that the guidelines would offer
insights to treating physicians on the health implications of hepatitis B; for
everything from liver disease assessment to individualized treatment
approaches and monitoring patient response.
They would also provide physicians with the framework for determining the
most appropriate treatment options to ensure long-term efficacy and minimal
resistance, Dr. Al-Ali said.
"Hepatitis B is a dangerous liver disease and is the primary cause for
liver cancer. The Middle East is defined as a moderate-prevalence region where
HBV infection rates range from two to eight percent. In Kuwait, HBV prevalence
is around two to five percent," said Dr Al Ali.
"It is critical that we adopt the most efficient treatment options to avoid
costly and often difficult to treat consequences. The goal of therapy for
hepatitis B is to improve quality of life by preventing progression of the
disease to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. This
underlines the importance of screening and early detection."
"Previously a limited number of antiviral treatment options were available,
including lamivudine and adefovir. While these treatments may be efficacious,
in many cases they can lead to resistance," said Dr Al Ali, adding "the
guidelines will offer recommendations on selecting the best treatment strategy
to maintain the viral load at undetectable levels, hence avoid progression of
liver complications and long term resistance."
Hepatitis B cases in Kuwait are between 2-5 percent. Hepatitis B is the
second cause of Cancerous diseases after smoking. (end)
mha.gta
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