CME: Viral Hepatitis Management in 2011- ACPE

ACCREDITATION EXPIRED: August 15, 2014

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

In this online CME self-learning program:

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem and a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Hepatitis C is the principal cause of death from liver disease and the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States U.S. In the United States, hepatitis B is largely a disease of young adults aged 20-50 years. About 800,000 to 1.4 million Americans are chronic hepatitis B virus carriers, and the disease causes about 3, 000 deaths each year. An estimated 180 million people are infected worldwide. In the U.S., the prevalence of HCV infection between the years 1999 and 2002 was 1.6%, equating to about 4.1 million persons positive for antibody to hepatitis C (anti-HCV), 80% of whom are estimated to be viremic.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other agencies sought guidance from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in identifying missed opportunities related to the prevention and control of HBV and HCV infections. The IOM committee found relatively poor awareness about HBV and HCV among healthcare providers, social-service providers, and the public. Additionally, they cited a lack of awareness about the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis in the U.S., the target populations, and the appropriate methodology for risk-factor screening, serologic testing, and medical management probably contributes to continuing transmission; missed opportunities for prevention, early diagnosis, and medical care; and poor health outcomes in infected people.

The IOM committee believes that implementation of these and other recommendations in their report would lead to reductions in new HBV and HCV infections, fewer medical complications and deaths as a result of these viral infections of the liver, and lower total health costs.

Treatment of HBV/HCV co-infected patients can represent a challenge. No standard recommendations exist for treatment of HBV/HCV co-infection, and therefore treatment must be individualized based on patient variables such as hepatitis blood test results and DNA or RNA levels, patient's prior exposure to antiviral treatment, and the presence of other similarly transmitted viruses such as hepatitis D virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This program has been designed to bring healthcare professionals’ knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment options for HBV and HCV up to date.

Agenda:

• -   Prevalence and incidence of acute and chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the U.S.
• -   Screening for risk factors
• -   Prevention, immunization, and monitoring of chronically infected patients.
• -  Prevention of HBV and HCV transmission in health-care settings
• -  Treatment options for HBV and HCV, along with their side effects

Target Audience:

This program is primarily targeted at MDs and DOs who are Primary Care Providers. The program will also be appropriate for mid-level practitioners (NPs and PAs) as well as pharmacists and other health care providers, including case managers, who provide care for the HCV and HBV population.

This program is supported by educational grants from Genentech.

Release Date: August 15, 2012 -- Expiration Date: August 15, 2014

Faculty: Paul Kwo, MD

Agenda

Learning Objectives

Accreditation

Faculty Disclosure and Resolution of COI

Instructions

System Requirements