A practical overview of the treatment  of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
BACKGROUND
Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, OBJECTIVE: This article provides an overview for GPs on the principles involved in assessing and treating patients with chronic hepatitis C within a community setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with DAA medications listed on the PBS should be considered for all patients with chronic HCV infection. These regimens are well tolerated, highly efficacious and have all-oral administration. A thorough pre-treatment evaluation should be undertaken, and patients with cirrhosis, significant comorbidities or potential drug-drug interactions should be referred to a specialist. Successful eradication of HCV is characterised by undetectable HCV ribonucleic acid viral load on polymerase chain reaction testing 12 weeks after treatment completion, although antibodies to HCV may remain positive for the rest of the patient's life.
Anthony
A
Khoo
Edmund
E
Tse
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies