title: Antiviral therapy in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients with chronic HCV infection.
abstract: Liver cirrhosis secondary to HCV infection is a chronic disorder that carries high morbidity and mortality. Approved antiviral treatment for this condition at present includes peginterferon in combination with ribavirin. Treatment is only recommended for a well-compensated liver cirrhosis, whereas antiviral therapy is commonly not implemented in cirrhotics with signs of liver decompensation, over the concern that the use of peginterferon and ribavirin might expose patients to severe treatment-related side effects. This review focuses on data available to support both efficacy and safety of antiviral therapy in both compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients.
authors: 'Casa Sollievo Sofferenza' Hospital, Division of Gastroenterology, IRCCS, Viale Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Iacobellis
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Andriulli
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016174:Hepacivirus; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a