title: Clinical drivers in naïve patient eligibility for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a major health problem, being a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver transplantation worldwide. Viral eradication achieved by Peginterferon and Ribavirin therapy is the only therapeutic option that can prevent fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis and liver-related complications in cirrhotic patients. Unfortunately, the occurrence of potentially serious side effects argues against universal treatment of HCV-infected patients. Indeed most scientific societies suggest that eligibility for therapy be based on baseline factors, the so called clinical drivers for treatment eligibility. Current international guidelines recommend focusing on the severity of liver disease, likelihood of treatment response in terms of chances of sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy and risk of serious adverse events when making treatment decisions. However, evidence exists that treatment may benefit also patients with mild fibrosis and that baseline predictions of a SVR are inaccurate because of the key role of HCV kinetics while on-therapy. An extended treatment programme is further supported by the fact that an increase in the number of patients treated would ultimately result in a long-term reduction of liver-related deaths.
authors.affiliation: AM Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease, First Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Degasperi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aghemo
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000592:standards*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin