A study published in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health showed that patients with hepatitis C virus treated at health facilities that served American Indian/Alaska Natives had better outcomes when the clinics collaborated with pharmacists. The study demonstrated that interdisciplinary teamwork improved outcomes in this at-risk and disadvantaged group. This could serve as
A retrospective study in the journal Liver International found use of direct-acting antivirals may be associated with the reduced number of patients on a waiting list for a liver transplant for decompensated hepatitis C virus cirrhosis. Researchers found an increase in HCV patients whose indication for liver transplant was hepatocellular carcinoma during the study period,
Trials are underway to evaluate an affordable hepatitis C treatment. So far, the therapy has been shown to be safe and effective, with very high cure rates for patients including hard-to-treat cases. The interim clinical trial results offers hope to the 71 million people living with the disease worldwide. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a
Cross-Epidemic of Hepatitis C with Diabetes, Obesity, and Kidney Disease
A cross-sectional and prospective analyses of 13,726 participants in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that individuals with chronic hepatitis C have a high burden of major cardiometabolic comorbidities. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease, in particular, are associated with substantial excess mortality in persons with chronic hepatitis C. See the article
Within the U.S., Native American populations have the highest incidence of acute hepatitis C (HCV) infection of any racial or ethnic group. They also have a significantly greater risk for HCV-related mortality than the general population and are an important group to target in efforts to eliminate the disease. According to the Centers for Disease
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed models of care that can be used to reduce the overall burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. More than 92,000 veterans with HCV have been treated by the VA since January 2014. Their cure rates have exceeded 90 percent. Expansion of treatment capacity through
“Most HCV patients unsuccessful on previous regimens clear virus with triple therapy”
Triple-DAA Pill Offers HCV Retreatment Option A combination of three drugs that act directly to block hepatitis C (HCV) replication successfully cured most patients who had previously failed therapy with such agents, researchers reported. In two phase III trials, the investigational combination of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir cleared the virus in 96% and 98% of
U.S. health officials said new cases of hepatitis C rose nearly 300 percent from 2010 to 2015, despite the availability of cures for the liver disease, fueled by a spike in the use of heroin and other injection drugs, according to a report released on Thursday. In 2015, the national reported rate of hepatitis C
Biomarkers of liver injury may persist after hepatitis C treatment
A biomarker of liver damage may persist after hepatitis C treatment: About one-third of patients who were successfully treated to eliminate the hepatitis C virus continued to exhibit liver inflammation, a German study showed. The findings include people who took direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, the current preferred therapy for the virus. “This is the first
Access to Subspecialty Hepatology Care Increases Survival Among V.A. Patients With Liver Disease
Access to subspecialty GI care may be difficult for patients with liver disease, but it is unknown whether access influences outcomes. A total of 28,861 patients within the Veterans Administration were studied to determine rates and predictors of access to ambulatory GI subspecialty care for patients with liver disease, and to determine whether this
