September Newsletters
Each month, a small group of people devoted to HCV advocacy, publish a newsletter offering support and information to people afflicted with the hepatitis C virus. Included this month are additional links to personal stories, research and news.
For Liver Health Information
Call 1-800-GO-LIVER
For Liver Health Information
Call 1-800-GO-LIVER
September 2013 edition of the Liver Lowdown
From The American Liver Foundation
In This Issue
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Recovery Is Possible – With Determination, Assistance and Acknowledgement
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR LIVER?
WELCOME TO OUR LATEST MICROSITE: A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE ABOUTHEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (HE)
Learn more about what the liver is and what it does for your body
From The American Liver Foundation
In This Issue
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Recovery Is Possible – With Determination, Assistance and Acknowledgement
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR LIVER?
WELCOME TO OUR LATEST MICROSITE: A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE ABOUTHEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (HE)
Learn more about what the liver is and what it does for your body
The HCV Advocate newsletter is a valuable resource designed to provide the hepatitis C community with monthly updates on events, clinical research, and education
In This Issue:
Drugs in Development: Phase 3 – Genotype 1 - DAA plus PEG/RBV
Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief
Snapshots
Lucinda K. Porter, RN
HEALTHWISE: Hepatitis C and Your DNA
Lucinda K. Porter, RN
HCV and Correctional Centers: A Missed Population
Sonya Becker & Juliana Chan, Pharm.D.
The Other Forgotten Hepatitis B Minority—African-Americans
Christine M. Kukka
Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief
Snapshots
Lucinda K. Porter, RN
HEALTHWISE: Hepatitis C and Your DNA
Lucinda K. Porter, RN
HCV and Correctional Centers: A Missed Population
Sonya Becker & Juliana Chan, Pharm.D.
The Other Forgotten Hepatitis B Minority—African-Americans
Christine M. Kukka
Personal Stories
Stories written by ordinary people sharing personal experiences living with hepatitis C.
August 2013 - One Mans Story - Lemons to Lemonade
Connect With HCV Advocate
HepCBC Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Society
HepCBC’s MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
September Newsletter (PDF)
The hepc.bull, has been “Canada’s hepatitis C journal” since the late 1990′s and has been published nonstop since 2001. The monthly newsletter contains the latest research results, government policy changes, activities and campaigns you can get involved in, articles by patients and caregivers, and a list of support groups plus other useful links.
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE include:
Liver Transplant Patients from Outside Vancouver
URGENT Request for Patient Input on SIMEPREVIR by September 11th
NEW Online HCV Support Community on "Health Unlocked" Portal
NEW CIHR HIV-HCV Coinfection Mgmt & Treatment Guidelines
World Hepatitis Day in BC, part II and WHD throughout Canada
CATIE article on new HCV Drugs: "Easier to Take and More Cures"
NAULI YOGA for Liver Massage
SVR Honour Roll - people who have been 100% cured
And More!
Stay Connected
Hep C Connections
Our newsletter is sent out for free electronically on the 1st of every month. To subscribe, please send your email address to slh@hepc-connection.org.
August 2013
Our newsletter is sent out for free electronically on the 1st of every month. To subscribe, please send your email address to slh@hepc-connection.org.
August 2013
Check Back For September Newsletter
GI & Hepatology News is the official newspaper of the AGA Institute and provides the gastroenterologist with timely and relevant news and commentary about clinical developments and about the impact of health-care policy. The newspaper is led by an internationally renowned board of editors.
View Current Issue (VOL. 7 NO. 9 September 2013):
In This Issue
Interferon-free regimen for HCV-1 Faldaprevir, deleobuvir, ribavirin combo proved effective in phase II clinical
Study characterizes HCV exacerbation course
Study characterizes HCV exacerbation course
.. acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis is responsible for an unfavorable outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis. However, the majority of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis C obtained an SVR, most probably because of the high frequency of HCV genotype 2 and IL-28-B CC genotypes in the case group, and possibly because the reactivation of a cell-mediated immune response may favor HCV clearance,” they said, adding that “ the more rapid progression to cirrhosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma strongly warrant the early initiation of anti-HCV therapy for acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis C patients.
Guide to help with patient questions about colonoscopy
The GI societies recommend colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 50 for all average risk people.
Do I even need a colonoscopy?
Is there a cheaper test that would be just as good for colon cancer screening?
Risk score IDs hep C patients likely to get HCC
A risk score derived from four simple test results readily obtained during routine care may help identify patients with chronic hepatitis C who are most at risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma, according to results of a retrospective study. The score could enable physicians to target only the highest-risk patients for annual surveillance for malignant hepatic nodules, which is crucial because current screening methods are too invasive, too expensive, and too low-yield to be applied broadly across all risk groups.
High BMI appears to cause gallstones
A n elevated body mass index is not just associated with symptomatic gallstone disease, it ap- pears to cause the disease, according to a report published in Hepatology (doi:10.1002/hep.26563).
Liver Health Updates
Liver health and research articles available @ Hepatitis C Research and Liver Health
Liver health and research articles available @ Hepatitis C Research and Liver Health
Interferon-Sparing Therapies - 2013 News and Clinical Research
Connect With AGA
CAP Hepatitis C Literature Review
Monthly Pubmed Review of the most relevant research on HCV
August Literature Review
Monthly Pubmed Review of the most relevant research on HCV
August Literature Review
Advocacy Map
Do you want to know who represents you and what we are up against? See our tool
"Hepatitis By The Numbers" Advocacy Map
Hepatitis C Facts And Figures
Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne chronic viral illness in the U.S.
At least 170 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus.
An estimated 20,000 new cases of hepatitis C occur each year in the U.S. Approximately 75% of people exposed to the hepatitis C virus become chronically infected.
Most people with chronic hepatitis C are unaware that they are infected because HCV is often asymptomatic until advanced liver damage develops.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. HCV disproportionately affects medically underserved populations including the homeless, Native Americans, African-Americans, persons of Hispanic descent, and Asian/Pacific Islanders.
1 in 10 African-Americans between 40-60 are HCV positive. HCV seroprevalence rates of up 22% have been demonstrated among homeless persons.
The HCV seroprevalence rates among African-Americans (3.2%) and Mexican-Americans (2.1%) are significantly higher than in the general U.S. or Caucasian American populations.
Chronic liver disease/cirrhosis and viral hepatitis are more common causes of death in Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans than among the general U.S. population.
Those with a low socioeconomic status and limited education are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C.
Approximately 25 to 30% of Americans with HIV/AIDS are coinfected with the hepatitis C virus.
HIV/HCV coinfected persons have twice the risk of cirrhosis and a six-fold increased risk of liver failure compared to people with HCV alone.
HCV-related end-stage liver disease is now a leading cause of death among HIV-positive persons.
Approximately 20% to 30 % of people with chronic hepatitis C develop cirrhosis.
Each year, 1% to 4% of people with HCV-related cirrhosis develop liver cancer.
The incidence of liver cancer in the U.S. more than doubled between 1975 and 1998.
The number of new cases of liver cancer and the associated number of liver cancer deaths are expected to double again in the United States over the next 10 to 20 years.
Liver cancer is currently the most lethal and fastest growing cancer in the US.
The majority of the cases are caused by viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of adult liver transplantation in the U.S. Since 1990, the number of people with HCV w ho underwent liver transplantation increased over twelve- fold.
An estimated 15,000 people die each year in the U.S. of hepatitis C disease.
The death rate in Oregon has tripled since 1998.
The number of hepatitis C deaths each year in the U.S. is greater than the number of deaths caused by melanoma, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, thyroid cancer, or Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Without intervention, complications associated with HCV-related cirrhosis are projected to increase dramatically by 2020: liver failure by 106%, liver cancer by 81%, and liver-related deaths by 180%.
Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne chronic viral illness in the U.S.
At least 170 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus.
An estimated 20,000 new cases of hepatitis C occur each year in the U.S. Approximately 75% of people exposed to the hepatitis C virus become chronically infected.
Most people with chronic hepatitis C are unaware that they are infected because HCV is often asymptomatic until advanced liver damage develops.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. HCV disproportionately affects medically underserved populations including the homeless, Native Americans, African-Americans, persons of Hispanic descent, and Asian/Pacific Islanders.
1 in 10 African-Americans between 40-60 are HCV positive. HCV seroprevalence rates of up 22% have been demonstrated among homeless persons.
The HCV seroprevalence rates among African-Americans (3.2%) and Mexican-Americans (2.1%) are significantly higher than in the general U.S. or Caucasian American populations.
Chronic liver disease/cirrhosis and viral hepatitis are more common causes of death in Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans than among the general U.S. population.
Those with a low socioeconomic status and limited education are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C.
Approximately 25 to 30% of Americans with HIV/AIDS are coinfected with the hepatitis C virus.
HIV/HCV coinfected persons have twice the risk of cirrhosis and a six-fold increased risk of liver failure compared to people with HCV alone.
HCV-related end-stage liver disease is now a leading cause of death among HIV-positive persons.
Approximately 20% to 30 % of people with chronic hepatitis C develop cirrhosis.
Each year, 1% to 4% of people with HCV-related cirrhosis develop liver cancer.
The incidence of liver cancer in the U.S. more than doubled between 1975 and 1998.
The number of new cases of liver cancer and the associated number of liver cancer deaths are expected to double again in the United States over the next 10 to 20 years.
Liver cancer is currently the most lethal and fastest growing cancer in the US.
The majority of the cases are caused by viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of adult liver transplantation in the U.S. Since 1990, the number of people with HCV w ho underwent liver transplantation increased over twelve- fold.
An estimated 15,000 people die each year in the U.S. of hepatitis C disease.
The death rate in Oregon has tripled since 1998.
The number of hepatitis C deaths each year in the U.S. is greater than the number of deaths caused by melanoma, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, thyroid cancer, or Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Without intervention, complications associated with HCV-related cirrhosis are projected to increase dramatically by 2020: liver failure by 106%, liver cancer by 81%, and liver-related deaths by 180%.
2013-Hepatitis C Full Text Articles available @ Hepatitis C Research and Liver Health
Stay Connected With CAP
The Hepatitis C Trust is the national UK charity for hepatitis C. It was founded and is now led and run by people with personal experience of hepatitis C and almost all of our Board, staff and volunteers either have hepatitis C or have had it and cleared it after treatment.
All the latest news about hepatitis C
The updates from The Hepatitis C Trust aim to bring you regular information on the work we are doing each month. Check back for September update
If you would like to receive our updates by email, let me know saskia.whitfield@hepctrust.org.uk
In The Media
Petra Wright is interviewed by Perth Internet TV at the 80s Rewind Festival from The Hepatitis C Trust Plus. The video also features a short film from The World Hepatitis Alliance.
Treatment Diaries
Petra Wright is interviewed by Perth Internet TV at the 80s Rewind Festival from The Hepatitis C Trust Plus. The video also features a short film from The World Hepatitis Alliance.
Treatment Diaries
Chronic hepatitis C: Treat or wait?
A collection of news articles and research weighing the risks and benefits of
treating HCV now versus waiting for future therapies available @ Hepatitis C Research and Liver Health
Connect With Hepatitis C Trust
Hep Chat e-newsletter
Hep Chat is Hepatitis Victoria's electronic newsletter that is published 8 times a year
To subscribe to HepChat click here.
Hep Chat is Hepatitis Victoria's electronic newsletter that is published 8 times a year
To subscribe to HepChat click here.
Suggestions for relieving some of the more common symptoms experienced by people
with hepatitis C
Cognitive ability refers to a person’s ability to think clearly and to concentrate. Some people with hepatitis C notice a change in their cognitive ability. A person may find they cannot concentrate for long periods of time or that their thought processes seem slower than usual. Some people may have difficulty coming up with words they want to say, or just feel mentally tired. These cognitive changes are sometimes called ‘brain fog’. Like other symptoms of hepatitis C, cognitive changes can come and go. These symptoms can be caused by other things unrelated to hepatitis C, including depression and anxiety.
It is a good idea to discuss these symptoms and how to manage them with a health professional such as a counselor or doctor. There are things you can do to lessen the impact of ‘brain fog’ on your life:
Make lists and work through them.
Give yourself more time to complete tasks.
Discuss important decisions with someone you trust.
Continue reading @ Hepatitis Australia
Updates
Hepatitis C Research and Liver Health
Hepatitis C Neuropsychiatric symptoms-“brain fog”
Connect With Hepatitis Victoria
Hepatitis C Research and Liver Health
Hepatitis C Neuropsychiatric symptoms-“brain fog”
Connect With Hepatitis Victoria
Supporting people in Scotland living with HIV or Hepatitis C
Waverley Care is Scotland’s leading charity providing care and support to people living with HIV or Hepatitis C. As part of our work we also strive to raise awareness of these conditions and their prevention.
Here on our website you will find news and information about Waverley Care, HIV and Hepatitis C, Our Services and how you can Support our Work.
Waverley Care is Scotland’s leading charity providing care and support to people living with HIV or Hepatitis C. As part of our work we also strive to raise awareness of these conditions and their prevention.
Here on our website you will find news and information about Waverley Care, HIV and Hepatitis C, Our Services and how you can Support our Work.
Social Support
Healthy You
Get and stay healthy with this trusted monthly newsletter from NIH.
Download a PDF version of NIH News in Health or click here to read this months health news.
Connect with NIH on Twitter and Facebook
Connect with NIH on Twitter and Facebook
Hot Topics For The Month Of August
Results of the Phase II trial, sponsored and led by the National Institutes of Health, suggest that a regimen of sofosbuvir and ribavirin was highly effective in clearing the virus and well tolerated in two difficult-to-treat groups—patients with severe liver damage and African Americans. Both groups were comprised of those with genotype-1 HCV, which accounts for 70% of all HCV infections.
Read more here....
Viral Levels Reduced in Patients with Chronic Hep C Infections Treated with Interferon-Free Regimen
The JAMA Report
Video Source
Strong association of type 2 diabetes mellitus with HCV infection
Read more here....
Viral Levels Reduced in Patients with Chronic Hep C Infections Treated with Interferon-Free Regimen
The JAMA Report
Video Source
Strong association of type 2 diabetes mellitus with HCV infection
Advancing age, increased weight, and HCV genotype 3 are independent predictors of type 2 diabetes in HCV seropositive patients, and there is a statistically significant association of cirrhosis observed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Healthy You
Eating apples, grapes and blueberries may lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Video Source
Healthy You
Eating apples, grapes and blueberries may lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Video Source
A research consortium known as the Hepatitis C Therapeutic Registry and Research Network, or HCV-TARGET, has joined forces with the FDA to share national data on how newly approved therapies for hepatitis C are used and managed in routine practice
In Hepatitis C patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis (METAVIR F3 or F4) 12 weeks all oral treatment with simeprevir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin led to SVR4 rates of 96% and 100%, respectively
Once-daily simeprevir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin was generally safe and well tolerated
Santaris Pharma A/S Completes Enrollment in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Miravirsen In Null Responders to Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin for the Treatment of the Hepatitis C Virus
-- Enrollment also begins in study investigating miravirsen in combination with telaprevir and ribavirin in null responders to pegylated interferon and ribavirin --
-- Enrollment also begins in study investigating miravirsen in combination with telaprevir and ribavirin in null responders to pegylated interferon and ribavirin --
Vertex’s VX-135 partial hold signals heightened FDA scrutiny toward HCV drugs
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ (NASDAQ:VRTX) hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug VX-135 and the recent partial clinical hold placed on it signal heightened FDA scrutiny toward HCV drugs, experts said.
Still, most experts expressed optimism the partial hold will be removed and that the 200mg dose will advance.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ (NASDAQ:VRTX) hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug VX-135 and the recent partial clinical hold placed on it signal heightened FDA scrutiny toward HCV drugs, experts said.
Still, most experts expressed optimism the partial hold will be removed and that the 200mg dose will advance.
Other therapies developed to treat HCV that are similar to VX-135, a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) have been shown to trigger only transient elevations in liver enzymes, which are less of a concern....
Mild ALT increases seem to be quite common with many DAAs, a second European expert added. Either the elevation associated with VX-135 must be higher or the frequency greater than what has been observed with other DAAs to merit the partial clinical hold, he speculated....
This issue is guest edited by Dr. Norah Terrault, explores the current topics and controversies in the field of liver transplantion, from refining the criteria used for selection, to managing infection before and after the operation.
Five major pharmaceutical companies are developing oral, interferon-free HCV treatment regimens based upon still-investigational direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) that target HCV proteins and their functions. The clinical trials experience to date indicates these DAA-based regimens have substantially higher cure rates, far better tolerability and safety, and a much lower pill burden
Could interferon-based therapies for chronic hepatitis C cause retinopathy?
To assess the incidence of retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C being treated with interferon-based regimens and estimate the rate of resolution. A systematic literature search was performed to locate all relevant publications. Pooled incidence of retinopathy was calculated in patients treated with interferon or pegylated interferon. We also estimated the rate of discontinuation of treatment and resolution after the treatment was stopped
To assess the incidence of retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C being treated with interferon-based regimens and estimate the rate of resolution. A systematic literature search was performed to locate all relevant publications. Pooled incidence of retinopathy was calculated in patients treated with interferon or pegylated interferon. We also estimated the rate of discontinuation of treatment and resolution after the treatment was stopped
While patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are treated
in order to prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality, we rely on
sustained virological response (SVR) as a virological biomarker to evaluate
treatment efficacy in both clinical practice as well as in drug development.
However, conclusive evidence for the clinical benefit of antiviral therapy or validity of SVR as surrogate marker, as derived from trials randomizing patients to a treatment or control arm, is lacking.
In fact, the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial recently showed an increased mortality rate among interferon-treated patients compared to untreated controls. Consequently, the recommendation to treat patients with chronic HCV infection was challenged.
Hey Grandma, Let's Get You Checked for Hep C
However, conclusive evidence for the clinical benefit of antiviral therapy or validity of SVR as surrogate marker, as derived from trials randomizing patients to a treatment or control arm, is lacking.
In fact, the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial recently showed an increased mortality rate among interferon-treated patients compared to untreated controls. Consequently, the recommendation to treat patients with chronic HCV infection was challenged.
Hey Grandma, Let's Get You Checked for Hep C
The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States may have peaked over a decade ago, but there is convincing evidence that middle-aged and older adults born between 1945 and 1965 are at increased risk for infection. The most significant risk factor for chronic HCV infection is prior injection drug use, but the majority of adults with infection do not have this risk factor. Therefore, in additional to regular screening among high-risk groups, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPTSF) now recommends 1-time screening for chronic HCV infection for adults born between 1945 and 1965.
While this recommendation may seem preposterous when thinking of your own Nana, do you really know what she was up to in 1968? There is good merit for the recommendation, which is discussed in this article.
Hepatitis C - A Look At Disease Progression
Researchers often reference a unique cohort of HCV patients when describing the natural history of hepatitis C. Never has there been a more perfect natural history study, in that - the known dates of infection were clear and precise. This for the most part is difficult to achieve since the time of acute HCV infection is often impossible to establish.
Of Interest
New Blog Explores ObamaCare in Bite-Size Portions
A Doc For Change
Ever wondered what you and your patients were really getting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? A new blog by NYC neurologist, Dr. Anthony Geraci, explores the 2,400 page document by breaking down the massive health care law section by section and writing about his experiences reading it – the good and the bad. The blog aims to inform and inspire those who want to educate themselves and improve the state of health care.
Source - The Doctors Channel
Hepatitis C - A Look At Disease Progression
Researchers often reference a unique cohort of HCV patients when describing the natural history of hepatitis C. Never has there been a more perfect natural history study, in that - the known dates of infection were clear and precise. This for the most part is difficult to achieve since the time of acute HCV infection is often impossible to establish.
Of Interest
New Blog Explores ObamaCare in Bite-Size Portions
A Doc For Change
Aug 28, 2013
Ever wondered what you and your patients were really getting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? A new blog by NYC neurologist, Dr. Anthony Geraci, explores the 2,400 page document by breaking down the massive health care law section by section and writing about his experiences reading it – the good and the bad. The blog aims to inform and inspire those who want to educate themselves and improve the state of health care.
Source - The Doctors Channel
No comments:
Post a Comment