title: The experience of interferon-based treatments for hepatitis C infection.
abstract: Clinical trials of interferon-based treatments for hepatitis C infection show decrements in patients' health-related quality of life due to side effects of therapy. The impact of side effects on patients' overall quality of life still remains unclear. To explore this issue, the authors interviewed people living in New South Wales, Australia, who had undergone treatment for hepatitis C. Their aim in this article is to report participants' experiences of treatment side effects. In Australia, this information is important, because a new interferon-based regimen has been adopted as the mainstay of hepatitis C treatment, and it is predicted that many more people will seek treatment. The authors argue for further qualitative research to enhance knowledge of the impact of this therapy.
authors.affiliation: National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hopwood
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Treloar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000150:complications; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007372:Interferons