Editorial: Direct Antiviral Agents Eliminate the Age Barrier to Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

Interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C in elderly patients, who are at greatest risk for advanced disease, resulted in low sustained virologic response rates, poor tolerability, a significant frequency of adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation, and the occasional precipitation of hepatic decompensation. In contrast, in the era of direct-acting antiviral therapy, age is no longer a predictor of response rates in those with or without cirrhosis and adverse events are much less frequent. The benefits of treatment of the elderly appear to outweigh potential risks but long-term follow-up is necessary, particularly in those with advanced disease.