Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019163 (hepatitis B)
 38,309 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Injection drug use is the single most important risk factor for acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Injection drug users acquire this infection rapidly after initiating injection practices, and up to 90% of them are chronically infected with HCV. HCV infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease, and persons infected with HCV are at risk for chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma, and they risk transmitting HCV infection to others. Preventive measures for HCV infection are limited. The heterogeneous nature of HCV and its ability to undergo rapid mutation appear to prevent the development of an effective neutralizing immune response, obstructing development of a vaccine. Prevention of HCV infection must rely on educational and programmatic efforts aimed at preventing drug use, providing substance abuse treatment for persons who inject illicit drugs, and encouraging safer injection practices. These efforts should include messages about the risk and prevention of all blood-borne pathogens, including HCV, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus.
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PMID:The importance of preventing hepatitis C virus infection among injection drug users in the United States. 966 17

Many different circumstances influence Asian and Latino immigration to the United States, including poverty, war, educational opportunities, and protection of financial assets. Such varying circumstances point clearly to a different set of expected health problems. Immigrants often lack resources necessary to acquire quality health care. These resources involve language skills, knowledge of US health care and social services, and insurance. Risk factors to which immigrants may have been exposed include poor nutrition, lack of immunizations and vaccinations, inadequate or inappropriate treatment, and inadequate or inaccurate beliefs about illness and treatment. Frequent health problems among Latino and Asian immigrants are tuberculosis, hepatitis B, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, diabetes, and substance abuse. The nursing care of immigrants involves not only attention to reducing risk and treating illness, but also attention to the provision of resources. Nurses face several ethical dilemmas in the health care of immigrants including a public anti-immigrant sentiment, and political attempts to limit health care and education to immigrants.
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PMID:Health problems of Asian and Latino immigrants. 1031 29

This seroprevalence report examines serologic evidence of hepatitis B immunization or infection and associated demographic/behavioral factors in adolescent (aged 12-20) subjects enrolled in a nontherapeutic clinical trial at 43 Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group (PACTG) clinical centers. Subjects (n = 94) infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through sexual activity were categorized as hepatitis B virus (HBV)-immunized, HBV-infected, or nonimmune by hepatitis B serology performed on specimens collected within the subject's first 48 weeks on study (1993-1995). Sixteen percent of the 94 serologically classified subjects were immunized; 19% HBV-infected; 65% nonimmune. Of the three risk factor scores examined (sociodemographic, sexual, and substance abuse), substance use alone demonstrated a significant difference among groups (despite virtually no reported injecting drug behavior), with the sexual risk score exhibiting marginally significant differences. Logistic regression analysis (restricted to nonimmunized subjects) showed that male-male sexual activity raised the odds of HBV infection by a factor of 5.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-18. 23) relative to heterosexual activity; and that for every one point increase on the substance abuse risk scale the odds of infection increased 5% (95% CI: 0.99-1.10). The HBV infection rate in PACTG 220 HIV-positive females is twice United States population-based rates; the rate in PACTG 220 HIV-positive males is nearly seven times higher. Past immunization efforts in this population appear to have been based on sexual activity volume without regard to injecting-drug use in sex partners.
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PMID:Serologic examination of hepatitis B infection and immunization in HIV-positive youth and associated risks. The Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol 220 Team. 1111 32

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among 266 drug users attending a drug-addiction treatment centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 1996 to April 1997. Of the 266 addicts, 129 were injectable drug users (IDUs), and 137 were non-injectable drug users (non-IDUs). The seroprevalences of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV antibodies among the IDUs were 8 (6.2%), 41 (31.8%), 15 (11.6%), and 32 (24.8%), and among the non-IDUs were 6 (4.4%), 33 (24.1%), 9 (6.6%), and 8 (5.8%) respectively. None of the drug users were positive for anti-HIV antibody. Although the prevalence of HBV infection did not significantly differ between the IDUs and the non-IDUs, the prevalence of HCV infection was significantly higher among the IDUs. Among the IDUs, the prevalence of both HBV and HCV infections was associated with sharing of needles and longer duration of injectable drugs used. The seroprevalence of HBV infection in both IDUs and non-IDUs was significantly higher among those who had a history of extramarital and premarital sex. The prevalence of HCV infection was not associated with sexual promiscuity. There was no association between the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections and age. Active preventive programmes focusing on educational campaigns among the youths against substance abuse should be undertaken.
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PMID:Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infections among drug addicts in Bangladesh. 1126 67

The role of non-injecting drug abuse in viral hepatitis has not been studied widely and is not well understood. A total of 301 substance abusers, residents of a detoxification/rehabilitation unit, were investigated for exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Samples of serum were tested for anti-HCV and anti-HBc antibodies and HBsAg. All of the patients were non-injecting drug users (non-IDUs). The prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.7%; anti-HBc was found in 28.7% and HbsAg in 0.6% of patients. Anti-HCV positivity correlated with the presence of elevated aminotransferases (80%). Exposure to HBV correlated significantly with gender (p < 0.05); age (p < 0.05); and duration of substance abuse (p < 0.05). No significant correlations were found between HCV and/or HBV infection, the drug of abuse, HIV, HTLV-1 or syphilitic infection. Residential detoxification/rehabilitation provides an opportune moment to identify and treat HCV positive substance abusers in the attempt to avert the severe hepatic sequelae. Measures which exclude substance abusers from volunteer blood donation should be considered.
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PMID:Antibodies to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in residential detoxification clients in Jamaica. 1134 Nov 77

Homeless and runaway youth face a variety of health risks, including those related to substance abuse and use of unsterile needles. During 1998-1999, we recruited 201 Minneapolis homeless youths aged 15-22 years; these youths were interviewed by experienced street outreach workers from settings where street youth were known to congregate. Respondents spent a median of 6 months in the previous year living on the streets or "couch hopping." There were 37% who reported having 15 or more alcoholic drinks per week, 41% smoked 1 pack or more of cigarettes per day, and 37% used marijuana 3 or more times a week; 15% reported lifetime injection drug use, including 6% who used injection drugs within the previous month. Twenty percent had received a tattoo, and 18% body piercing with a needle that had not been sterilized or had been used by someone else. There were 68% who had been tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 52% for hepatitis B, and 25% for hepatitis C. There were 44% who said they did not have enough information about hepatitis B and C. Less than half (43%) received hepatitis B vaccine; however, 51% of unvaccinated youths indicated that they would receive vaccination if offered. These Midwestern homeless youths face multiple health risks, including those related to substance use and exposure to unsterile needles. Despite unsafe behaviors, many of these youths were interested in methods to protect their health, including education, knowing their HIV or viral hepatitis serostatus, and obtaining hepatitis B immunization.
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PMID:Substance abuse and high-risk needle-related behaviors among homeless youth in Minneapolis: implications for prevention. 1179 15

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of ulcerative sexually transmissible diseases (STDs) and hepatitis in crack users. We interviewed 435 crack users on site in crack houses in Houston, Texas and took blood for laboratory analysis. There was evidence of syphilis infection in 13%, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) in 61%, HIV in 12%, hepatitis B in 52%, and hepatitis C in 41% of cases. On DSM-III-R criteria, 12% were crack abusers and 84% crack dependent: over half reported previous treatment. Forty per cent reported also injecting. Sexual behaviour indicated a mean of 2.4 partners in the past month for men, 3.7 for women. Sexual behaviour was largely vaginal, although women also reported more than twice the level of oral sex of men. Significant multivariate predictors for HIV and hepatitis B and C were previous reported STD and injecting drug use (including sharing needles), while female gender for syphilis and HSV-2, and additionally condom use for HSV-2, were significant risks. These data confirm high rates of STDs in a crack house population as inferred from previous clinic-based and community studies, and the link between STDs, injecting and HIV. The high rates of STDs found should lead to considering STDs and substance abuse to be dual diagnoses in crack users and the integration of STD diagnosis and treatment into crack outreach and treatment programmes.
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PMID:Sexual behaviour, STDs and drug use in a crack house population. 1203 74

Prison populations throughout the Unites States are growing; the 1990s saw an average 6.5% per year increase. Average inmate age is increasing, as are both the number and rate of inmate deaths. Aging inmates experience health concerns typical of the general, free, aging population. Inmates have higher incidence of health complications associated with various circumstances, risk behaviors, and associated medical conditions. These circumstances include prison violence, incarceration-related constraints on exercise, and diet. Inmates are more likely to have a history of alcohol abuse, substance abuse or addiction and sex industry work. Risk-behavior conditions include human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), hepatitis B and C, liver disease, tuberculosis, endocarditis, and cardiomyopathy. Hospice is increasingly the preferred response to the health and care needs of terminally ill inmates. Implementing hospice behind bars has some unique challenges in addition to those inherent in hospice work. This series will provide an in-depth look at four hospice programs for inmates in the United States.
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PMID:Hospice care for the incarcerated in the United States: an introduction. 1224 79

This paper describes the development of a novel, pilot program in which a combined family group and peer approach were used to increase adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected youths. Twenty-three HIV-positive youths, 15-22 years of age and 23 family members or "treatment buddies" participated in one of three 12-week programs. The intervention had six biweekly family and youth education sessions and six biweekly youth-only education sessions. Devices to increase adherence to antiretroviral therapy such as pill boxes, calendars, and watch alarms were introduced at youth-only sessions. Eighteen of the 23 youths completed a group. Ninety-one percent of youths self-reported increased adherence to medications after completion of a group. Four participants experienced a one-log reduction in viral loads to undetectable levels during the intervention. Two participants continued to decline antiretroviral medications at the end of the intervention and demonstrated no decrease in viral load. Participants tested five devices and rated the multiple alarm watch as the best aid for improving adherence to medication. Family/treatment buddies rated the overall program as highly helpful, citing social support as most valuable. An unanticipated benefit was an increase in other health behaviors, including medical and dental appointments, hepatitis B and influenza immunizations, and referrals to mental health and substance abuse treatment.
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PMID:A family group approach to increasing adherence to therapy in HIV-infected youths: results of a pilot project. 1288 Apr 93

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among homeless persons with co-occurring severe mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders and to determine associated risk factors. As part of a longitudinal study of the effectiveness of integrated treatment for homeless persons with SMI and substance abuse or dependence, serological testing was performed to ascertain the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV. At baseline, 6.2% of participants (11/172) were HIV-positive. Nearly one third of participants (37/114) had evidence of prior exposure to HBV, and 30% (34/114) were antibody positive for HCV. About 44% of participants (50/114) had a reactive test for either HBV or HCV. Having a reactive test was strongly associated with substance use, especially with a history of injection drug use. A significant threat exists to the health and well-being of homeless person with SMI due to high prevalence of blood-borne pathogens. Mental health providers need to play a proactive role in the identification of health-related needs and to assist with access to general health services for persons with SMI.
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PMID:Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C among homeless persons with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders. 1292 7


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