Combination therapy permanently eradicates the virus in at least 40% of patients

Papers p 1151

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus is extremely prevalent, averaging 1% to 2% of the world population. Fortunately, recognition of potential risk factors, changes in patterns of using injected drugs, and improved safety of the blood supply have led to a dramatic decline in the incidence of new hepatitis C virus infections in recent years. However, since most acutely infected patients become and remain chronically infected, the overall prevalence of chronic infection has not fallen. Chronic liver disease due to hepatitis C virus typically progresses slowly and usually does not result in major morbidity for many years. However, it is apparent that the large pool of patients with longstanding chronic hepatitis C is beginning to manifest the consequences of chronic infection and cirrhosis. In both the United Kingdom and the United States the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing, deaths due to cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis C are on the rise, and hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplantation. In recent years, pharmacological treatment has had good results in patients with hepatitis C virus infection, with the virus being permanently eradicated …