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Chronic Hepatitis Cohort Study

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided funding to collect and analyze data on more than 12,500 people with chronic hepatitis B and C. The multi-center project is creating an anonymous electronic data base from medical and insurance records. In addition, for patients who give their consent, a survey developed by the CDC is being collected. Primary study aims include: 

  • Determining the extent of health burden and mortality from chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection; 
  • Describing the spectrum and natural history of disease associated with chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection; 
  • Describing the characteristics of persons in care for chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection; 
  • Monitoring modes of transmission and the extent of ongoing risk behaviors; 
  • Monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of recommended chronic viral hepatitis screening and care practices; 
  • Understanding access and potential barriers to care and treatment (who is in care and who is receiving therapy); 
  • Understanding the types of therapy in use, the benefits and risks associated with therapy and factors influencing outcome of therapy for chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection; 
  • Understand the costs and potential savings of appropriate care and treatment; 
  • Evaluating ongoing behaviors (adherence to treatment, alcohol and smoking) and their impact on health outcomes; and 
  • Providing data to evaluate primary and secondary prevention recommendations. 

Long-term aims are to use the results of analyses of data from the cohort for public health planning, policy decisions and clinical management of chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections.