Benefit of Cure from HCV Guidelines

[AWorriedMom]

From the HCV Guidelines: http://www.hcvguidelines.org/full-report/when-and-whom-initiate-hcv-therapy

Patients who are cured of their HCV infection experience numerous health benefits, including a decrease in liver inflammation as reflected by improved aminotransferase (ie, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase[AST]) levels and a reduction in the rate of progression of liver fibrosis. (Poynard, 2002b) Of 3010 treatment-naive HCV-infected patients with pretreatment and posttreatment biopsies from 4 randomized trials of 10 different IFN-based regimens (biopsies separated by a mean of 20 months), 39% to 73% of patients achieving an SVR had improvement in liver fibrosis and necrosis (Poynard, 2002b) and cirrhosis resolved in half of the cases. Portal hypertension, splenomegaly, and other clinical manifestations of advanced liver disease also improved. Among HCV-infected persons, SVR is associated with a more than 70% reduction in the risk of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and a 90% reduction in the risk of liver-related mortality and liver transplantation.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

We shall see.

[virt111]

Thanks for posting. I've got 2 of the 4 in the highest risk factor list and hope Tx will provide some level of improvement on those conditions.

[hepcandme]

That is great news indeed

Thanks for sharing

~ Linda

[Livelife777]

Great article Worriedmom.
Thanks for the share.
......Kim