Prof. Jimmy Lai from our centre has been awarded the Distinguished Research Paper Award for Young Investigators by the Hong Kong College of Physicians for his important study on the long-term fracture risk associated with hepatitis B treatments. His research analyzed data from over 40,000 patients in Hong Kong, comparing two common antiviral drugs: entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). The findings revealed that patients over 60 taking TDF for more than two years had a significantly higher risk of fractures compared to those on ETV.
This study highlights the need for doctors to consider a patient's overall health, including conditions like osteoporosis, when prescribing hepatitis B treatments. Prof. Lai's research offers valuable insights for improving patient care and minimizing risks in long-term treatments. Congratulations to Prof. Lai on this well-deserved recognition!