Disparities in Antiviral Treatment Among Adults With Hepatitis B Cirrhosis: An Analysis of the National Veterans Affairs Cohort

Clin Infect Dis. 2024 May 15;78(5):1232-1234. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad617.

Abstract

Timely antiviral therapy is critical in chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis to prevent further liver complications. Among a national cohort of US Veterans with chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis, only 52% were initiated on antiviral therapy; treatment was significantly lower among patients of non-Asian ethnicity, high-risk alcohol use, and in rural settings.

Keywords: Veterans; antiviral treatment; cirrhosis; disparities; hepatitis B.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic* / complications
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • United States / epidemiology
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Veterans* / statistics & numerical data