Perception of hepatitis B virus infection reactivation-related issues among specialists managing hematologic malignancies: result of an Italian survey.

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation strongly affects the practice of physicians dealing with hematological malignancies. In this respect, in collaboration with the Italian Lymphoma Foundation we developed a descriptive study of the real-life approach of physicians caring for patients with these diseases. A questionnaire was designed to explore the perception of HBV reactivation-related issues. Fifty-nine Italian Lymphoma Foundation-affiliated institutions participated, and 504 questionnaires were sent out. Forty institutions (67.8%) returned 154 (30.5%) completed questionnaires. The largest majority (91.5%, 141/154) were aware of possible HBV reactivation as a consequence of immunosuppression. Most of the participants providing an answer (93.3%; 126/135) performed universal screening, and were aware of strategies for managing reactivation (96.4%, 132/137). Specialists treating lymphoma show a high level of awareness concerning the management of HBV reactivation under immunosuppression. However, uncertainties regarding the issue of HBV reactivation still emerge in this setting, and thus continuing collaborative effort between hepatologists and hematologists is necessary.