Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Mar 2009
ReviewTreatment of chronic hepatitis C in Asia: when East meets West.
The issue of best treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is in constant flux, not only in Western countries but also in Asia. Currently, pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin is the standard of care. Studies from Asia provide evidence to support the same broad treatment strategies for Asian patients as recommended in Western countries. ⋯ In Japan, Middle East, Vietnam and Taiwan, several HCV hyper-endemic areas have been reported with an anti-HCV prevalence rate of 12% to as high as 58%. In addition to the well-known endemic status of HBV infection in most countries of the Asia-Pacific region, HCV infection presents another critical scenario of public health issue in this region, as outlined in Guidelines by the Asia-Pacific Association for Study of the Liver (APASL). Given the lack of an effective vaccine, optimal treatment of chronic HCV infection is now perceived as a 'must' in terms of public health strategies, as well as of the clinical setting for individual patients.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Mar 2009
Multicenter StudyDevelopment and evaluation of the quality of life instrument in chronic liver disease patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
The objective was to develop a valid and reliable health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment tool to measure the functional and health status of patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (mHE). ⋯ The instrument is short, easy to administer and is of good validity and reliability in patients with mHE.