title: Perspectives of a self-selected sample of former patients on the long-term health outcomes of interferon-based hepatitis C treatments: an exploratory study.
abstract: Research indicates that patients treated with interferon-based regimens can experience persistent neurotoxicity after treatment ceases and new symptoms attributable to the regimens can emerge post-treatment. To explore post-hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment outcomes, in-depth interviews were conducted with a self-selected sample of people from two Australian states who had completed an interferon-based regimen at least 24-weeks prior to being interviewed. Participants comprised almost equal numbers of men and women aged from 26 to 57 years, who were treated for HCV genotypes 1 through to 4, and included treatment responders, non-responders and those who had relapsed after treatment. Of 27 participants who volunteered to be part of this study, 25 reported persistent physical and psychological side-effects after treatment. Participants perceived a direct causal link between the treatment regimen and their ongoing symptoms. Reportedly, recovery from treatment was inhibited by an absence of a follow-up protocol that identified and addressed patients' post-treatment needs, including medical care for persistent side-effects, referral, and information and advice about lifestyle issues. Although the study's sample was not representative of all people treated for HCV, it is likely that persistent side-effects and their impact can affect other patients following completion of HCV treatments. Further prospective studies of HCV treatment outcomes are needed. In the meantime, the systematic implementation of a follow-up protocol in liver clinics might expedite recovery in patients who experience ongoing adverse health.
authors: a National Centre in HIV Social Research , The University of New South Wales , Sydney , Australia .
authors: Max
authors: M
authors: Hopwood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012254:Ribavirin