1. Is there a need for liver disease monitoring in HIV patients in Africa?
- Author
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Rockstroh JK, Peters L, and Wedemeyer H
- Subjects
- Africa, HIV Infections complications, Hepatitis B, Chronic complications, Hepatitis B, Chronic diagnosis, Hepatitis C, Chronic complications, Hepatitis C, Chronic diagnosis, Humans, Liver Cirrhosis complications, Schistosomiasis complications, Schistosomiasis diagnosis, Liver Cirrhosis diagnosis
- Abstract
Liver disease is one of the leading causes of death in HIV-infected individuals from Europe and North America and has been attributed mainly to coinfection with hepatotropic viruses. Little data, however, has so far become available on liver disease in HIV-infected individuals from Africa. Results from a first study on liver disease staging by Fibroscan(®) in a large group of HIV-infected patients from rural Uganda suggest unexpectedly high rates of advanced fibrosis. These results were independent from hepatitis status, initiating a discussion on the need for future liver disease monitoring in these particular patient groups.
- Published
- 2011
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