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Due to similar behavioral risk
factors for the two infections, HIV-positive men who have sex with men are at
increased risk of viral hepatitis. The authors of the current study set out to
assess adherence to HIV management guidelines that recommend hepatitis A, B,
and C testing for HIV-positive patients, and vaccination against hepatitis A
and B for those susceptible.
The researchers evaluated the
hepatitis prevention services received by a random sample of HIV-positive MSM
at eight HIV clinics in six US cities. To estimate rates of hepatitis screening
and vaccination both overall and by clinic site, the team abstracted the
medical records of all clinic visits by these patients from 2004 to 2007.
The records of 1,329 patients making
a total of 14,831 clinic visits from 2004 to 2006 were abstracted, indicating
screening rates of 47 percent for hepatitis A, 52 percent for hepatitis B, and
54 percent for hepatitis C. Among screened patients found to be susceptible, 29
percent were vaccinated for hepatitis A, and 25 percent were vaccinated for
hepatitis B. Significant variations in screening and vaccination rates by
clinic were noted.
“Awareness of hepatitis
susceptibility and hepatitis co-infection status in HIV-infected patients is
essential for optimal clinical management,” the researchers concluded. “Despite
recommendations for hepatitis screening and vaccination of HIV-infected MSM,
rates were suboptimal at all clinic sites. These low rates highlight the
importance of routine review of adherence to recommended clinical services.
Such reviews can prompt the development and implementation of simple and
sustainable interventions to improve the quality of care.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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