title: A comprehensive long-term prognosis of chronic hepatitis C patients with antiviral therapy: a meta-analysis of studies from 2008 to 2014.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attaining a sustained virological response with antiviral therapy is a sign of clinical cure for chronic hepatitis C patients. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the long-term efficiency and outcome of antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C who attained a sustained virological response.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed on published articles between January 2008 and February 2014. Patients with Hepatitis C who received interferon with or without ribavirin therapy were enrolled. Relative risks were estimated using either fixed or random effect models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who attained sustained virological response had a less risk (85%) for all-cause mortality and about 63% reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence than those who did not achieve sustained virological response. Based on deeply analysis, the stage of liver fibrosis was a risk factor at baseline for the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sustained virological response can reduce all-cause mortality and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma of patients with hepatitis C. Advanced liver fibrosis is still a risk factor for the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, in spite of hepatitis C patients attained a sustained virological response.
authors.affiliation: Viral Hepatitis Key Laboratary, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Ya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Viral Hepatitis Key Laboratary, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Yi Xiang
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Viral Hepatitis Key Laboratary, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Changsha, China.
authors.forename: De Ming
authors.initials: de M
authors.lastname: Tan
keywords: Antiviral Therapy; Chronic Hepatitis C; Meta-Analysis