Treatment of hepatitis B virus-infected patients: utility of therapeutic recommendations in developing countries

Background: The treatment of individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a complex issue in practical settings, despite the explosion of new and effective antiviral agents. Objective: To assess the scope and limitations of ongoing treatment guidelines against HBV from a global perspective. Methods: Present therapeutic guidelines against HBV have been discussed with emphasis on their value in developing countries that harbor about 90% of the total number of global patients who are infected with HBV. Results/Conclusion: Treatment of HBV-infected patients should be appropriately followed up and healthcare delivery systems should be able to combat treatment-induced adverse side effects. Current therapeutic guidelines should be optimized based on the socio-economic conditions of developing countries.