New horizons in hepatitis B and C in the older adult.

Age Ageing. 2018 Oct 31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy170. [Epub ahead of print]
New horizons in hepatitis B and C in the older adult.

Kemp L, et al. Age Ageing. 2018. 

Published:

31 October 2018 

Key points
HCV is curable.
HBV complications are preventable.
Diagnosis of blood-borne viruses (BBvs) in the elderly is important.
Opportunistic testing should be considered in the correct clinical context in at risk patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a devastating complication of untreated chronic infectious hepatitis.

Abstract 

Hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV), are blood-borne viruses that can cause acute hepatitis; but are clinically relevant because chronic infection is associated with development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Both these viruses are becoming more common in the older population, due to the ageing of generations exposed to the risk factors associated with infection; intravenous drug use, multiple sexual partners and men who have sex with men. This review will cover the natural history and epidemiology of these infections as well as the revolution in drug therapy that now allows cure of HCV infection and complete control of HBV infection.

Full-Text Article

Age and Ageing, afy170, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy170