Liver cirrhosis in Japan: Future global trends in the era of progressive antiviral therapy. Issue 3 (28th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Enomoto, Hirayuki; Takashima, Tomoyuki; Nishimura, Takashi; Aizawa, Nobuhiro; Ikeda, Naoto; Yuri, Yukihisa; Okamoto, Mamiko; Yoshihara, Kohei; Yoshioka, Ryota; Kawata, Shoki; Ota, Shogo; Nakano, Ryota; Shiomi, Hideyuki; Iijima, Hiroko
• Is Part Of: Portal hypertension & cirrhosis. Volume 1:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 178
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2022-11-28
• Subjects: antihepatitis measures -- antiviral drugs -- etiology -- liver cirrhosis -- viral hepatitis; Portal hypertension; Portal hypertension -- Research; Liver -- Cirrhosis; Liver -- Cirrhosis -- Treatment; Periodicals; 616.362005
• DOI: 10.1002/poh2.30
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2770-5838

Abstract

Abstract: In Japan, viral hepatitis is the main cause of chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. Due to the availability of highly effective antiviral drugs in combination with antihepatitis measures, Japan has become one of the most successful countries in the world with regard to hepatitis virus elimination. In Japan, there are many elderly patients who have been infected with hepatitis C virus for a long time, and antihepatitis measures have been in place since the 2000s. Thus, the medical situation in Japan is expected to reflect the future situation in other countries where hepatitis countermeasures have been recently initiated and the infected population is aging. Our nationwide survey clarified the changes in the etiologies of liver cirrhosis in Japan. Although viral hepatitis remains a major cause of liver cirrhosis in Japan, nonviral cirrhosis is suggested to increasingly contribute to the etiologies of liver cirrhosis, as opposed to viral hepatitis‐related liver cirrhosis. The changing etiology of liver cirrhosis in Japan may help to predict future global trends in chronic liver diseases. Abstract : In Japan, viral hepatitis is the main cause of chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. The World Health Organization planned to eradicate viral hepatitis, setting a tentative goal to reduce new infections by 90% and disease‐related deaths by 65% by 2030. While global measures against hepatitis viruses were activated in the late 2010s, antiviral measures in Japan began to be implemented as a national strategy in the early 2000s. Due to the availability of highly effective antiviral drugs in combination with antihepatitis measures, Japan has become one of the most successful countries in the world with regard to hepatitis virus elimination. Although viral hepatitis remains a major cause of liver cirrhosis in Japan, nonviral cirrhosis is suggested to increasingly contribute to the etiologies of liver cirrhosis, as opposed to viral hepatitis‐related liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of lifestyle‐related diseases, including diabetes, have become increasingly important. Key points: Significant findings of the study: In Japan, viral hepatitis is the main cause of chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. Due to the availability of highly effective antiviral drugs in combination with antihepatitis measures, Japan has become one of the most successful countries in the world with regard to hepatitis virus elimination. What this study adds: Although viral hepatitis remains a major cause of liver cirrhosis in Japan, nonviral cirrhosis is suggested to increasingly contribute to the etiologies of liver cirrhosis. The changing etiology of liver cirrhosis in Japan may help to predict future global trends.