Barriers to hepatitis C treatment.
Despite the availability of highly effective therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, few patients receive treatment. Barriers arising at multiple levels, from diagnosis to specialist referral, may impede the delivery of hepatitis C care. At the patient level, lack of awareness, fear of side effects, poor adherence and comorbid conditions may prevent treatment. For providers, limited knowledge, lack of availability and communication difficulties may be problematic. At the government and payer level, a lack of promotion, surveillance and funding may interfere. Each of these barriers needs to be addressed if wider implementation of antiviral therapy is to be achieved.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UNC Liver Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7584, USA.
Christopher E
CE
McGowan
Michael W
MW
Fried
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011392:Proline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C486464:telaprevir; C512204:N-(3-amino-1-(cyclobutylmethyl)-2,3-dioxopropyl)-3-(2-((((1,1-dimethylethyl)amino)carbonyl)amino)-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutyl)-6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo(3.1.0)hexan-2-carboxamide; D011392:Proline; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a