Chronic viral hepatitis

Chronic viral hepatitis is a common disease. More than 500 million people have chronic viral hepatitis worldwide. These diseases are due to chronic infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D virus or hepatitis C virus. Chronic viral hepatitis is responsible for severe complications: cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which are responsible for major morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prognosis of chronic viral hepatitis depends on the rate of progression of fibrosis, which varies widely from one patient to another. Some factors, such as gender, age, alcohol consumption and immune status, influence the progression of fibrosis. In recent years, treatment of chronic viral hepatitis has markedly improved—especially in chronic hepatitis C, with more than 50% of patients having a sustained response with the combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Also, in chronic hepatitis B, new drugs are available, or being evaluated, and combination therapy could dramatically change future therapeutic strategies.