Hepatology

The majority of the Division's funded clinical research is in the area of viral hepatitis.  There are currently four funded research protocols for the management of patients with hepatitis C. Dr. John Lake is involved in clinical research studies which focus on the treatment of hepatitis C with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

In addition, the Division is an active participant in the Midwest Hepatitis Study Group, which is a consortium of investigators interested in the management of patients with chronic viral hepatitis.   Dr. John Lake is also a co-investigator on 2 NIH-funded clinical research protocols, one on the area of primary biliary cirrhosis (M. Eric Gershwin, P.I.) and one in the area of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis  (Elizabeth Parks, P.I.)

The Gastroenterology Division maintains an ongoing interest in the use of TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt) for management of complications of portal hypertension.