The MATCH-B Study

The Management of Chronic Hepatitis B in Africa (MATCH-B) study is an important longitudinal study following all participants with chronic hepatitis B previously enrolled in the WATCH-B study in Gambia and Senegal. The study is funded by the MRC UK and Gilead US company.

The MATCH-B study is supported by the teams in The Gambia and Senegal.

The main objectives of this study are to assess the rate of liver disease progression of chronic hepatitis B in the African environment and develop simplified algorithms to diagnose, treat and monitor HBV-infected patients in resource-limited African settings.

In the observation cohort (untreated patients), we will monitor the progression of liver disease in patients who did not require treatment. In the treatment cohort (patients under antiviral therapy since 2012 or 2013), we will assess the clinical effectiveness of nucleotide analogue therapy in West African patients. All untreated patients are reinvited for one complete liver assessment (life style questionnaires, physical examination, blood tests, liver ultrasound, Fibroscan). Treated patients (including cirrhotics) are seen by the clinical team every 6 months for treatment dispensation, adherence, physical examination, blood tests, Fibroscan and liver ultrasonography for HCC screening.

We are working closely with the head of villages, Imam, community health workers and family members. The Gambian and Senegalese Patient Association are also strong collaborators of our study.

 

ArrowChief investigator

   DrMaud Lemoine Professor Maud Lemoine (Imperial College London, UK)

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IMG 20190130 102100