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 KUNA 251730 Jan 09NNNN