Why treat patients with “mild” hepatitis C

Abstract:

Cure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with a significant decrease of mortality, improvement in quality of life and regression of fibrosis and extrahepatic complications. The new direct-acting drugs are highly effective and lead to a cure in over 90% of patients, but they result in a considerable increase in the cost of treatment, which may force clinicians and national health systems to delay treatment to the development of advanced disease. Delaying treatment until the stage of advanced disease can reduce the beneficial effect of the lasting viral response (SVR) on the regression of liver disease and survival, and increase the rate of morbidity and mortality. The recent pharmacoeconomic studies show that the treatment of patients with low fibrosis is cost-effective despite the high costs of treatment.

Key words:
chronic hepatitis C; delaying therapy; direct-acting antiviral drugs; mild hepatitis; stage of fibrosis