Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection by Primary Physicians in New York City: Are Screeni

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November 21, 2007

Researchers Document Lack of Hepatitis B Screening in High Risk Groups

AASLD 2007

1457. Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection by Primary Care

Physicians in New York City: Are Screening Recommendations for Persons Born in

Endemic Countries Being Followed?

H. Pollack; K. Wan; T. Miyoshi; G. Fryer; S. Tawdekar; P. Baker; D. McEwen; C.

Weinbaum; S. R. Bialek; R. Low

Screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is recommended for persons born

in regions where hepatitis B is endemic. Current physician practices with

respect to screening for chronic HBV infection are largely unknown. In this

study we examined screening practices for chronic HBV among primary care clinics

in an urban hospital system. De-identified patient information was abstracted

from electronic medical records.

Aim

We present preliminary results on screening practices for 18,457 patients 19-49

years of age, who first visited primary care clinics in the NYC Health and

Hospital's South Manhattan Network (including Bellevue Hospital Center) in New

York City during 2005-2006. The patient population consisted of Asian/Pacific

Islanders (26.1%), Blacks (12.7%), Hispanics (42.3%), Native Americans (0.2%),

and Whites (7.0%). 69.6% were foreign born.

Among the 18,457 patients, 42.4% (7,826) were screened for HBsAg. 1026 (71.8%)

of 1429 persons with elevated ALT were screened for HBsAg compared to 5826

(49.6%) of 11749 with normal ALTs, p=8%), those born in East Asia countries had

the highest screening rate (692/1088, 63.6%) followed by Southeast Asia

(153/304, 50.3%), and Africa (230/521, 44.1%). Patients born in regions of

intermediate HBV endemicity (2-7%) including Eastern Europe, South Asia, Middle

East, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean had screening rates of

35.6-40.1%, comparable to rates for patients born in the U.S. (39.5%).

The screening rates varied greatly among individual clinics, highest (1040/1810,

57.5%) at community clinics which served large numbers of APIs and lowest

(25/212, 11.8%) at a community clinic which served large numbers of Hispanics.

Results

This pilot study revealed that screening for HBsAg was correlated with elevated

ALT, younger age, Asian race and region of birth with HBV epidemic. However,

nearly 50% of patients from countries where HBV infection is endemic, and for

whom screening is recommended by the CDC, had not been tested. More rigorous

efforts will be necessary to increase compliance for HBV screening in this group

of patients in order to decrease long-term morbidity and mortality.

Published by Hepatitis B Foundation

Copyright Hepatitis B Foundation 2004-2007

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/mod_print_view.cfm?this_id=959417 & u=hepbcure & sho\

w_issue_date=F & issue_id=000220507 & lid=bbHB372 & uid=b6FgnVBW

_________________________________________________________________

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Article from B News...You Can Use

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November 21, 2007

Researchers Document Lack of Hepatitis B Screening in High Risk Groups

AASLD 2007

1457. Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection by Primary Care

Physicians in New York City: Are Screening Recommendations for Persons Born in

Endemic Countries Being Followed?

H. Pollack; K. Wan; T. Miyoshi; G. Fryer; S. Tawdekar; P. Baker; D. McEwen; C.

Weinbaum; S. R. Bialek; R. Low

Screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is recommended for persons born

in regions where hepatitis B is endemic. Current physician practices with

respect to screening for chronic HBV infection are largely unknown. In this

study we examined screening practices for chronic HBV among primary care clinics

in an urban hospital system. De-identified patient information was abstracted

from electronic medical records.

Aim

We present preliminary results on screening practices for 18,457 patients 19-49

years of age, who first visited primary care clinics in the NYC Health and

Hospital's South Manhattan Network (including Bellevue Hospital Center) in New

York City during 2005-2006. The patient population consisted of Asian/Pacific

Islanders (26.1%), Blacks (12.7%), Hispanics (42.3%), Native Americans (0.2%),

and Whites (7.0%). 69.6% were foreign born.

Among the 18,457 patients, 42.4% (7,826) were screened for HBsAg. 1026 (71.8%)

of 1429 persons with elevated ALT were screened for HBsAg compared to 5826

(49.6%) of 11749 with normal ALTs, p=8%), those born in East Asia countries had

the highest screening rate (692/1088, 63.6%) followed by Southeast Asia

(153/304, 50.3%), and Africa (230/521, 44.1%). Patients born in regions of

intermediate HBV endemicity (2-7%) including Eastern Europe, South Asia, Middle

East, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean had screening rates of

35.6-40.1%, comparable to rates for patients born in the U.S. (39.5%).

The screening rates varied greatly among individual clinics, highest (1040/1810,

57.5%) at community clinics which served large numbers of APIs and lowest

(25/212, 11.8%) at a community clinic which served large numbers of Hispanics.

Results

This pilot study revealed that screening for HBsAg was correlated with elevated

ALT, younger age, Asian race and region of birth with HBV epidemic. However,

nearly 50% of patients from countries where HBV infection is endemic, and for

whom screening is recommended by the CDC, had not been tested. More rigorous

efforts will be necessary to increase compliance for HBV screening in this group

of patients in order to decrease long-term morbidity and mortality.

Published by Hepatitis B Foundation

Copyright Hepatitis B Foundation 2004-2007

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/mod_print_view.cfm?this_id=959417 & u=hepbcure & sho\

w_issue_date=F & issue_id=000220507 & lid=bbHB372 & uid=b6FgnVBW

_________________________________________________________________

The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360

Console.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/

[Guest guest]

Article from B News...You Can Use

(http://www.imakenews.com/hepbcure/e_article000959417.cfm?x=bbHB372,b6FgnVBW)

November 21, 2007

Researchers Document Lack of Hepatitis B Screening in High Risk Groups

AASLD 2007

1457. Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection by Primary Care

Physicians in New York City: Are Screening Recommendations for Persons Born in

Endemic Countries Being Followed?

H. Pollack; K. Wan; T. Miyoshi; G. Fryer; S. Tawdekar; P. Baker; D. McEwen; C.

Weinbaum; S. R. Bialek; R. Low

Screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is recommended for persons born

in regions where hepatitis B is endemic. Current physician practices with

respect to screening for chronic HBV infection are largely unknown. In this

study we examined screening practices for chronic HBV among primary care clinics

in an urban hospital system. De-identified patient information was abstracted

from electronic medical records.

Aim

We present preliminary results on screening practices for 18,457 patients 19-49

years of age, who first visited primary care clinics in the NYC Health and

Hospital's South Manhattan Network (including Bellevue Hospital Center) in New

York City during 2005-2006. The patient population consisted of Asian/Pacific

Islanders (26.1%), Blacks (12.7%), Hispanics (42.3%), Native Americans (0.2%),

and Whites (7.0%). 69.6% were foreign born.

Among the 18,457 patients, 42.4% (7,826) were screened for HBsAg. 1026 (71.8%)

of 1429 persons with elevated ALT were screened for HBsAg compared to 5826

(49.6%) of 11749 with normal ALTs, p=8%), those born in East Asia countries had

the highest screening rate (692/1088, 63.6%) followed by Southeast Asia

(153/304, 50.3%), and Africa (230/521, 44.1%). Patients born in regions of

intermediate HBV endemicity (2-7%) including Eastern Europe, South Asia, Middle

East, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean had screening rates of

35.6-40.1%, comparable to rates for patients born in the U.S. (39.5%).

The screening rates varied greatly among individual clinics, highest (1040/1810,

57.5%) at community clinics which served large numbers of APIs and lowest

(25/212, 11.8%) at a community clinic which served large numbers of Hispanics.

Results

This pilot study revealed that screening for HBsAg was correlated with elevated

ALT, younger age, Asian race and region of birth with HBV epidemic. However,

nearly 50% of patients from countries where HBV infection is endemic, and for

whom screening is recommended by the CDC, had not been tested. More rigorous

efforts will be necessary to increase compliance for HBV screening in this group

of patients in order to decrease long-term morbidity and mortality.

Published by Hepatitis B Foundation

Copyright Hepatitis B Foundation 2004-2007

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/mod_print_view.cfm?this_id=959417 & u=hepbcure & sho\

w_issue_date=F & issue_id=000220507 & lid=bbHB372 & uid=b6FgnVBW

_________________________________________________________________

The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360

Console.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/

[Guest guest]

Article from B News...You Can Use

(http://www.imakenews.com/hepbcure/e_article000959417.cfm?x=bbHB372,b6FgnVBW)

November 21, 2007

Researchers Document Lack of Hepatitis B Screening in High Risk Groups

AASLD 2007

1457. Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection by Primary Care

Physicians in New York City: Are Screening Recommendations for Persons Born in

Endemic Countries Being Followed?

H. Pollack; K. Wan; T. Miyoshi; G. Fryer; S. Tawdekar; P. Baker; D. McEwen; C.

Weinbaum; S. R. Bialek; R. Low

Screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is recommended for persons born

in regions where hepatitis B is endemic. Current physician practices with

respect to screening for chronic HBV infection are largely unknown. In this

study we examined screening practices for chronic HBV among primary care clinics

in an urban hospital system. De-identified patient information was abstracted

from electronic medical records.

Aim

We present preliminary results on screening practices for 18,457 patients 19-49

years of age, who first visited primary care clinics in the NYC Health and

Hospital's South Manhattan Network (including Bellevue Hospital Center) in New

York City during 2005-2006. The patient population consisted of Asian/Pacific

Islanders (26.1%), Blacks (12.7%), Hispanics (42.3%), Native Americans (0.2%),

and Whites (7.0%). 69.6% were foreign born.

Among the 18,457 patients, 42.4% (7,826) were screened for HBsAg. 1026 (71.8%)

of 1429 persons with elevated ALT were screened for HBsAg compared to 5826

(49.6%) of 11749 with normal ALTs, p=8%), those born in East Asia countries had

the highest screening rate (692/1088, 63.6%) followed by Southeast Asia

(153/304, 50.3%), and Africa (230/521, 44.1%). Patients born in regions of

intermediate HBV endemicity (2-7%) including Eastern Europe, South Asia, Middle

East, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean had screening rates of

35.6-40.1%, comparable to rates for patients born in the U.S. (39.5%).

The screening rates varied greatly among individual clinics, highest (1040/1810,

57.5%) at community clinics which served large numbers of APIs and lowest

(25/212, 11.8%) at a community clinic which served large numbers of Hispanics.

Results

This pilot study revealed that screening for HBsAg was correlated with elevated

ALT, younger age, Asian race and region of birth with HBV epidemic. However,

nearly 50% of patients from countries where HBV infection is endemic, and for

whom screening is recommended by the CDC, had not been tested. More rigorous

efforts will be necessary to increase compliance for HBV screening in this group

of patients in order to decrease long-term morbidity and mortality.

Published by Hepatitis B Foundation

Copyright Hepatitis B Foundation 2004-2007

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/mod_print_view.cfm?this_id=959417 & u=hepbcure & sho\

w_issue_date=F & issue_id=000220507 & lid=bbHB372 & uid=b6FgnVBW

_________________________________________________________________

The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360

Console.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/