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Treating hepatitis C in the elderly: the future is near?

Fabio Conti1, Giovanni Vitale, Pietro Andreone

  • 1University of Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences , Via Massarenti, 9, 40138 Bologna , Italy.

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|August 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C treatment in older adults using older therapies shows lower response rates and higher discontinuation. Newer interferon-free options may improve outcomes for this growing patient population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Virology

Background:

  • The aging global population means hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasingly prevalent in older individuals.
  • Older adults (over 70) are often excluded from clinical trials, complicating treatment decisions.
  • Hepatitis C is shifting towards becoming a disease predominantly affecting the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze treatment outcomes in elderly patients with hepatitis C.
  • To evaluate response rates and inform therapeutic decision-making for geriatric populations.
  • To assess the efficacy and safety of different hepatitis C treatment regimens in older adults.

Main Methods:

  • Review of treatment outcomes in geriatric patients with HCV.
  • Analysis of response rates and discontinuation rates for various antiviral therapies.
  • Examination of side effect profiles, particularly in elderly patients with comorbidities.

Main Results:

  • Dual therapy (pegylated IFN plus ribavirin) demonstrated lower sustained virologic response and higher discontinuation rates in geriatric HCV patients.
  • First-generation protease inhibitors were associated with significant side effects in the elderly, especially those with comorbidities.
  • Elderly patients experienced poorer outcomes with traditional dual therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Traditional dual therapies are less effective and more challenging for elderly hepatitis C patients.
  • Interferon-sparing regimens represent a promising advancement, potentially expanding access to effective antiviral treatment for older adults.
  • Newer treatment strategies are needed to improve hepatitis C management in the growing geriatric population.
Abstract

Keywords:
agedantiviral treatmentelderlyhepatitis C virus

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