rss
Genitourin Med 1985;61:279-282 doi:10.1136/sti.61.4.279
  • Research Article

Psychosocial impact of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus on British patients.

  1. A S Lok,
  2. D J van Leeuwen,
  3. H C Thomas,
  4. S Sherlock

      Abstract

      The effects of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) on the lives of 40 British patients were studied by means of a questionnaire. The aspects considered were: social, sexual, and family life, physical and psychological health, and work. Thirty six patients considered their lives to have been affected, nine mildly, 14 moderately, and 13 severely. The aspects of life most affected were: sexual (13), psychological (11), physical (5), work (3), social (2), and family (2). Most of the problems encountered were related to infectivity. The availability of vaccines against HBV and of successful antiviral treatment have solved some of the problems, but it remains important for the medical profession to be aware of the multifaceted impact of the carriage of HBV.

      This Article

      1. Abstract
      2. PDF

      Responses

      1. Submit a response
      2. No responses published

      Register for free content

      The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

      Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.