BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection remains a significant health issue. Most patients are asymptomatic, but long term infection may cause liver failure, liver cancer, and death. Projections estimate that these complications will triple by 2020. Chronic hepatitis C infection is curable, and successful viral eradication reduces liver related complications. The landscape of CHC therapy is rapidly changing. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines the incidence, prevalence and natural history of CHC, and provides information that may assist the general practitioner in the assessment and management of CHC patients. DISCUSSION: Chronic hepatitis C infection is under-diagnosed and may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, only 1.3% of cases are being treated. The GP plays an important role in diagnosing CHC, and provides a unique opportunity to screen patients with risk factors and refer for treatment. The first direct-acting antivirals have recently been approved, and combination all-oral therapy (interferon free) is expected in 3-5 years. Hence, all patients with CHC should be referred for treatment consideration.
BACKGROUND:Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection remains a significant health issue. Most patients are asymptomatic, but long term infection may cause liver failure, liver cancer, and death. Projections estimate that these complications will triple by 2020. Chronic hepatitis C infection is curable, and successful viral eradication reduces liver related complications. The landscape of CHC therapy is rapidly changing. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines the incidence, prevalence and natural history of CHC, and provides information that may assist the general practitioner in the assessment and management of CHCpatients. DISCUSSION: Chronic hepatitis C infection is under-diagnosed and may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, only 1.3% of cases are being treated. The GP plays an important role in diagnosing CHC, and provides a unique opportunity to screen patients with risk factors and refer for treatment. The first direct-acting antivirals have recently been approved, and combination all-oral therapy (interferon free) is expected in 3-5 years. Hence, all patients with CHC should be referred for treatment consideration.
Authors: Kian Bichoupan; Valerie Martel-Laferriere; David Sachs; Michel Ng; Emily A Schonfeld; Alexis Pappas; James Crismale; Alicia Stivala; Viktoriya Khaitova; Donald Gardenier; Michael Linderman; Ponni V Perumalswami; Thomas D Schiano; Joseph A Odin; Lawrence Liu; Alan J Moskowitz; Douglas T Dieterich; Andrea D Branch Journal: Hepatology Date: 2014-08-25 Impact factor: 17.425
Authors: Yong Min Jo; Sung Wook Lee; Sang Young Han; Yang Hyun Baek; Soo Young Kim; Woo Jae Kim; Ji Hye Ahn; Ji Young Lee Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2015-02-14 Impact factor: 5.742