PURPOSE: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a potentially fatal complication of chemotherapy that can be largely prevented with medication, provided that asymptomatic HBV carriers are identified. We explored the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Canadian oncologists/hematologists regarding HBV screening before chemotherapy. METHODS: A novel questionnaire was mailed to all practicing hematologists/oncologists, where publicly accessible online physician registries facilitated identification of these specialists (71% of the Canadian physician population). RESULTS: Of 504 potentially eligible practitioners, 311 (62%) responded, of whom 246 indicated that they administered chemotherapy and were thus included in final analyses. Respondents tended to underestimate the risk of HBV reactivation, and recognition of the major risk factor for HBV carriage (ie, birth in an endemic area) was low. Forty percent of respondents reported rarely or never testing for HBV before chemotherapy, and 36% reported screening only those patients with HBV risk factors. In multivariate analysis, having a predominantly hematologic practice, practitioner experience with HBV reactivation, ability to correctly estimate the risk of HBV reactivation, fewer years in practice, and female sex were independently associated with an increased likelihood of screening for HBV. CONCLUSION: Canadian oncologists and hematologists tend to underestimate the risk of HBV reactivation and report relatively low HBV screening rates. Among those practitioners who do screen, the favored strategy is selective screening of patients with HBV risk factors. However, oncologists'/hematologists' knowledge regarding risk factors for HBV carriage seems to be low, potentially undermining the success of a selective screening strategy.
PURPOSE:Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a potentially fatal complication of chemotherapy that can be largely prevented with medication, provided that asymptomatic HBV carriers are identified. We explored the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Canadian oncologists/hematologists regarding HBV screening before chemotherapy. METHODS: A novel questionnaire was mailed to all practicing hematologists/oncologists, where publicly accessible online physician registries facilitated identification of these specialists (71% of the Canadian physician population). RESULTS: Of 504 potentially eligible practitioners, 311 (62%) responded, of whom 246 indicated that they administered chemotherapy and were thus included in final analyses. Respondents tended to underestimate the risk of HBV reactivation, and recognition of the major risk factor for HBV carriage (ie, birth in an endemic area) was low. Forty percent of respondents reported rarely or never testing for HBV before chemotherapy, and 36% reported screening only those patients with HBV risk factors. In multivariate analysis, having a predominantly hematologic practice, practitioner experience with HBV reactivation, ability to correctly estimate the risk of HBV reactivation, fewer years in practice, and female sex were independently associated with an increased likelihood of screening for HBV. CONCLUSION: Canadian oncologists and hematologists tend to underestimate the risk of HBV reactivation and report relatively low HBV screening rates. Among those practitioners who do screen, the favored strategy is selective screening of patients with HBV risk factors. However, oncologists'/hematologists' knowledge regarding risk factors for HBV carriage seems to be low, potentially undermining the success of a selective screening strategy.
Authors: Morris Sherman; Stephen Shafran; Kelly Burak; Karen Doucette; Winnie Wong; Nigel Girgrah; Eric Yoshida; Eberhard Renner; Philip Wong; Marc Deschênes Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Date: 2007-06 Impact factor: 3.522
Authors: R Idilman; M Arat; E Soydan; M Törüner; I Soykan; H Akbulut; O Arslan; M Ozcan; A R Türkyilmaz; M Bozdayi; S Karayalçin; D H Van Thiel; A Ozden; M Beksaç; H Akan Journal: J Viral Hepat Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 3.728
Authors: Rohit Loomba; Ayana Rowley; Robert Wesley; T Jake Liang; Jay H Hoofnagle; Frank Pucino; Gyorgy Csako Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2008-04-01 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Andrew S Artz; Mark R Somerfield; Jordan J Feld; Andrew F Giusti; Barnett S Kramer; Anita L Sabichi; Robin T Zon; Sandra L Wong Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2010-06-01 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Alissa Visram; Kelvin K W Chan; Phyllis McGee; Jordana Boro; Lisa K Hicks; Jordan J Feld Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-04-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Gabriela Schmajuk; Chris Tonner; Laura Trupin; Jing Li; Urmimala Sarkar; Dana Ludwig; Stephen Shiboski; Marina Sirota; R Adams Dudley; Sara Murray; Jinoos Yazdany Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2017-03 Impact factor: 1.889
Authors: Karin Leber; Hans-Martin J M M B Otten; Dees P M Brandjes; Mark A A Claassen; Fanny N Lauw Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2021-07-26 Impact factor: 2.328