Chronic hepatitis in West and East

Abstract

The main etiologies of chronic hepatitis (CH) worldwide are viral B and C infections. Progression of CH to end-stage liver disease has a significant impact on mortality and need for liver transplantation worldwide. This review will focus on differences in etiology, prevalence, clinical outcomes of CH and impact on public health issues between developed Western and developing Eastern countries. Despite achievements in treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis in Western countries, processes of globalization contribute to further spread of the infections. Further efforts towards the elimination of hepatic B virus transmission throughout implementation of vaccination programs and primary prevention of hepatitis C infection are still of high importance, especially in developing world. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG.