Treatment of hepatitis C in special populations.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide and is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States. Experience has shown that the epidemiology and the response to treatment of HCV vary in certain patient groups. Differences have been observed in people from different racial and ethnic groups and in patients who have HIV and end-stage renal disease. These groups generally were not included in the early large clinical trials of HCV treatment. This article reviews recent findings in these patients groups and examines future directions.
Ramamurthy
Meera
M
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Muir
Andrew J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001213:Asian; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000254:growth & development*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000821:virology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a