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AmJCaseRep

Increased Awareness of the Possibility of HBV Reactivation Through Use of Patient HBV Caution Cards

Yumiko Nagao, Yuji Kawahigashi, Kanae Kimura, Michio Sata

Med Sci Tech 2016; 57:68-73

DOI: 10.12659/MST.898606

Available online: 2016-05-05

Published: 2016-05-05


#898606

BACKGROUND: Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication has been frequently reported and can result in severe disease, including acute liver failure and death. However, physicians other than hepatologists have a low awareness of HBV reactivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of carrying HBV caution cards from the viewpoint of patients with HBV infection.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: We handed HBV caution cards to 50 HBV-infected patients. When we handed over the card, we tested their knowledge of HBV reactivation and oral administration of nucleic acid analogs. After 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, we sent a questionnaire to the subjects. The questionnaire addressed the following: the use or nonuse of the card, all instances of diagnosis and treatment using the card, and the physician’s response when the patient produced the card.
RESULTS: We collected questionnaires from all individuals (100%). Only 30% (15/50) of the patients had knowledge of HBV reactivation; 36 (72%) patients used the card at least once during the year; and 77.8% (28/36) of patients using the HBV caution cards judged it to be good or very good. Among the study patients, there were no cases of HBV reactivation.
CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we showed the efficacy of the card which the patients carried to increase awareness of the possibility of HBV reactivation. Patient education, standardization of medical information for non-hepatologists, and the spread of the use of the cards are expected in future.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, Questionnaires, Virus Activation



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