Hepatitis C infection: A multi-faceted systemic disease with clinical, patient reported and economic consequences

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 170-200 million people worldwide.
• HCV is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver transplantation.
• HCV is a systemic disease with significant hepatic, extrahepatic, economic, and patient-reported consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the importance of understanding the comprehensive impact of HCV.
• To highlight the success of new direct antiviral agents in achieving sustained virological response.
• To advocate for a holistic assessment of treatment benefits, including clinical, patient-reported, and economic outcomes.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review and synthesis of current knowledge on HCV and its treatment.
• It analyzes the implications of sustained virological response (SVR) achieved through direct antiviral agents.
• The focus is on evaluating both clinical and non-clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Direct antiviral agents have made HCV eradication achievable for most infected patients.
• Sustained virological response leads to significant clinical improvements.
• Comprehensive assessment reveals substantial improvements in patient-reported health and economic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The advent of direct antiviral agents marks a new era in HCV management, offering a cure.
• A comprehensive evaluation of HCV treatment benefits, beyond clinical cure, is crucial.
• Understanding the full impact of HCV and its treatment requires considering patient well-being and economic factors.