Does treatment of hepatitis C prevent complictions of liver disease?

Abstract:

Achievement of a sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C leads to significantly lower incidences of liver disease progression, liver failure, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Consequentially, this results in lower overall and liver-related mortality and improved quality of life. Clinical investigations have suggested that the benefits from SVR are largely due to a decrease in inflammatory and fibrogenic processes. However, in a smaller number of patients the inflammation and fibrogenic progression persist despite SVR.

Key words:
clinical response; complications; sustained virologic response