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Aspects of care for the hepatitis C positive patient
1Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales.
Insights
Hepatitis C is Australia's most common chronic infection, primarily affecting those who inject drugs. While most infected individuals maintain a good quality of life, general practitioners play an increasing role in management.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C is Australia's most prevalent life-threatening chronic infection, with nearly 200,000 cases.
- The majority of new infections are linked to injecting drug use, highlighting a critical public health challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the lack of a national strategy for hepatitis C control in Australia.
- To evaluate the current treatment landscape, characterized by high costs, moderate efficacy, and significant side effects.
Main Methods:
- This study synthesizes existing data on hepatitis C prevalence, transmission, and treatment outcomes in Australia.
- Analysis focuses on the epidemiology of new infections and the clinical profile of current treatments.
Main Results:
- Over 90% of approximately 11,000 annual new hepatitis C infections in Australia are associated with injecting drug use.
- Current hepatitis C treatments are expensive, less effective compared to treatments for other conditions, and have notable side effects.
Conclusions:
- Most individuals with chronic hepatitis C can expect a normal life expectancy and good quality of life.
- The involvement of general practitioners in the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C is becoming increasingly important.
Background:
With almost 200,000 infected Australians, hepatitis C is Australia's commonest life threatening chronic infection.
Objective:
Over 90% of the 11,000 new infections in Australia each year are associated with injecting drug use. Australia does not have a national plan for achieving control of hepatitis C. Treatment at present is expensive, less effective than many other conditions and associated with considerable side effects.
Discussion:
Most people with chronic hepatitis C infection have a normal life expectancy with good quality of life. The role of general practitioners in prevention and treatment is increasing.