HONG KONG – A survey of chronic hepatitis B patients has found that majority of patients in Asia Pacific do not know much about their disease even though they have been living with it.
Viral hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It may lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and even death.
Experts revealed that even though chronic hepatitis B infection is difficult to be completely cured, the treatment goal – sustained viral suppression – can be achieved through appropriate treatment.
Appropriately 360 million people have chronic (life-long) infection and are at high risk of serious illness or death. More than three quarters (78 percent or 281 million) of these reside in Asia Pacific.
Dr. Nancy Leung, founding chairperson of Asiahep said, "Chronic hepatitis B can seriously damage your health without you knowing. The survey results showed that we need to put more focus on educating public in Asia Pacific about the disease, and provide patients with a realistic treatment goal of this disease."
In addition to disease awareness, taking medicine regularly for chronic hepatitis B is also an issue in Asia Pacific. About 20 percent do not follow their doctor’s instructions to take their medication on time. The percentage is even higher in Hong Kong (28 percent).
"Although chronic hepatitis B sometimes can’t be cured, with proper management the disease progression can be controlled," Dr. Leung said.
A total of 1,200 patients with chronic hepatitis B were interviewed from 10 countries: Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
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