Page 29 - The Flying Publisher Guide to Hepatitis C Treatment

Antiviral Therapy: The Basics
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on the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic infection
is poorly quantified.
The best choice for treatment initiation is made on a case by
case basis. Individulised decisions are based on a thorough pre-
treatment assessment of the virus, host and other associated
factors that contribute to treatment failure. Response-guided
therapy has demonstrated significant advantages compared to
the watchful waiting strategy.
The decision regarding retreatment of patients with advanced
liver diseases depends on clinical factors like expected
progression of diseases, degree of inflammation/fibrosis,
coinfection with HIV or/and HBV, co-morbidities (autoimmune
diseases, heart and renal failure). Furthermore, modified
regimens, with currently available medications, novel modified
IFNs and RBV or combinations with direct-acting antivirals
(DAAs), are developed. A more active and highly individualized
therapeutic strategy is a priority for nonresponders to current
SoC.
Links
– European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASLD)
http://www.easl.eu/clinical-practice-guideline
– The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
(AASLD)
http://www.aasld.org/practiceguidelines
– National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
http://www.nice.org.uk