Assessment of the patient who failed treatment for chronic hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects more than 4 million people in the United States and 170 million people in the world, making it a major public health problem. Currently, about one half of the patients undergoing hepatitis C treatment do not experience a sustained viral response. With time, this high nonresponse rate has created a large pool of such patients (nonresponders), many of whom have advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Patients who are selected for re-treatment need healthcare providers with experience, knowledge, and the time available to manage the side effects to maximize adherence to therapy. This article discusses the assessment of patients being re-treated for HCV and approaches to caring for this patient population.
Levine
Cheryl D
CD
Transplant Services, Research, and Outcomes, The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. CherylLevine@mhd.com
Ghalib
Reem H
RH
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D014943:Global Health; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons