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Raymond S. Koff, MD

JAMA. 1999;282:511-512.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

Chronic viral hepatitis is now the predominant chronic liver disease in the United States. It impairs health-related quality of life and when it progresses to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, or hepatocellular carcinoma, life expectancy is reduced.^1-3 Chronic viral hepatitis is responsible for at least half of all deaths attributed to chronic liver disease, but this may be an underestimate since accelerated progression is seen in patients with concomitant alcohol-induced liver disease. End-stage liver disease due to chronic viral hepatitis is now the single most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States and Western Europe. Despite declines in new infections, health care expenditures and resource use for chronic viral hepatitis will increase during the next decade as the disease progresses with time in those currently with clinically silent disease. Alfa interferons, with a wide range of biological activities, have been the mainstays of therapy. Advances . . . [Full Text of this Article]

The Responsible Viruses

Pretreatment of Hepatitis C

Treatment of Hepatitis C

Pretreatment of Hepatitis B and D

Treatment of Hepatitis B

Treatment of Hepatitis D

Future Prospects

Author Affiliations: Department of Medicine, MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham, Mass, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Mass.

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