Introduction by Martyn Caplin
This hepatitis B and C evidence update is highlighting “knowledge” published in 2006/7. Worldwide an estimated 350 million people are infected with Hepatitis B and 300 million people with hepatitis C. The natural history of hepatitis B and C is variable and in recent years there have been significant advances in therapy.
We have undertaken a literature search of >1000 articles to identify systematic reviews, guidelines and additional “knowledge” which has been tailored and subsequently peer reviewed by Professor Alexander, Professor Burroughs, Professor Dusheiko, Sr Greenslade, Dr Main and Professor Thomas. This update should not be seen as definitive. I would especially like to thank Sara Clarke, Project manager for the GLDSL and the team including Jennifer Ford and Jane Falconer.
Martyn Caplin is Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Medicine at the Royal Free Hospital and Clinical Lead for GLDSL.
The Hepatitis B and C evidence update highlights knowledge published in 2006 and 2007, on the diagnosis, treatment and management of Hepatitis B and C. By presenting this information in an easily accessible format, we will provide busy healthcare professionals with the information they need to keep up to date.
The most robust evidence-based systematic reviews from 2006 and 2007 were selected by our topic leads after review of initially over 1000 articles (see Methods for retrieving and evaluating the evidence for more information on this process).
The evidence has been split into the following sections:
Click on the section above to find links to critically appraised systematic reviews, expert commentaries and other information of interest.
A PDF/Portable Document Format of the Hepatitis B and C Evidence Update is available for download here.
The Hepatitis B and C annual evidence update has been put together by the Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases Specialist Library Project Team, with expert advice and commentaries provided by our Hepatitis topic leads. These are:
Graeme Alexander, Consultant Hepatologist, Addenbrooke's Hospital
Andrew Burroughs, Professor in Hepatology & Consultant Physician & Hepatologist, Royal Free Hospital
Geoffrey Dusheiko, Consultant in Hepatology, Nephrology and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital
Lynda Greenslade, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Hepatology, Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust
Janice Main, Reader and Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases and General Medicine, St Mary's Hospital
Howard Thomas, Professor of Medicine, Imperial College
We wish to thank the topic leads for their generous support with this project.
