This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Matthews, J. D. Articles by Bini, E. J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010.

Edmund J. Bini, MD, MPH

Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010., edmund.bini{at}med.va.gov

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma and is also a common indication for liver transplantation. Interferon alfa monotherapy leads to a sustained virologic response in only 10% to 15% of HCV-infected patients. The sustained virologic response rates can be increased to approximately 40% with interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin combination therapy for up to 48 weeks. However, recent clinical trials demonstrated that pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin can improve the response rates even further, with more than 50% of patients having a sustained virologic response to treatment. Although new therapies are emerging, significant progress must be made to reduce the morbidity and mortality from HCV infection.

Key Words: Hepatitis C virus • interferon • ribavirin • treatment • liver diseases

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?