title: Effects of a sustained virologic response on outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: For patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, the goal of antiviral therapy is to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). We review the durability of the SVR and its effects on liver-related mortality, hepatic decompensation, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed a systematic review of the effects of the SVR on liver-related hepatic outcomes and found the SVR to be durable (range, 98.4%-100%). An SVR reduced liver-related mortality among patients with chronic hepatitis C (3.3- to 25-fold), the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (1.7- to 4.2-fold), and hepatic decompensation (2.7- to 17.4-fold). An SVR can lead to regression of fibrosis and cirrhosis, and has been associated with a reduced rate of hepatic decompensation, a reduced risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, and reduced liver-related mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saab
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load