Influence of New EASL Guidelines for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C on Clinical Practice

Abstract:

Chronic hepatitis C is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease and a global health and economic burden of our time, which affects almost 3 % of the world’s population. Virus elimination and effective treatment are associated with a decreased incidence of hepatocelullar carcinoma development, reduced liver diseases compliacation related mortality and general mortality in affected patients. Progress of the research in the field of viral genetics and pathophysiologic mechanisms in the last decade has resulted in significant improvements in pharmacotherapy and treatment outcomes, with increased possibilities of a permanent cure. The new direct antiviral agents greatly facilitate the treatment and shorten its duration, with better end-result. By approving and making interferon-free modalities available in the EU,US and Japan, the role of previous treatment approaches has been diminished, thus significantly improving these patients’s treatment safety profile. Along with the knowledge of modern therapeutic modalities and recommendations for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, one has to master particular specificities, advantages and disadvantages of the respective drugs.

Key words:
chronic hepatitis C; direct antiviral agents; liver diseases