Review article
https://doi.org/10.26332/180003
Hepatitis C Treatment: A Review and Update
Jelena Jakab
; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Marinko Žulj
; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Nikola Volarić
; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Bojan Tepeš
; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Aleksandar Včev
; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) infects approximately 185 million individuals worldwide. It is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and the primary reason for liver transplantation. The main aim of antiviral treatment is to achieve a sustained virologic response, which means eradication of the virus. The combination of pegylated-interferon and ribavirin was the standardof care for over a decade, despite the long treatment duration and severe adverse effects. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals with pan-genomic properties and excellent tolerance increased rates of SVR and shortened the duration of the therapy. Furthermore, it allowed clinicians to customize HCV therapy according to important clinical parameters such as HCV- genotype and liver fibrosis stage.
Keywords
hepatitis C infection; treatment; direct-acting antivirals
Hrčak ID:
186720
URI
Publication date:
3.7.2017.
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