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The complications include liver cancer, failure, transplantation or death. Consistent medical monitoring is recommended.
Individuals who are treated for hepatitis C virus (HCV) when they have advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis remain at high risk of liver disease progression even after being cured of the virus. Consequently, researchers recommend routine monitoring for this group.
Publishing their findings in the Journal of Hepatology, researchers conducted a pooled analysis of data on 1,000 people who participated in Canadian or European cohort studies and who had advanced fibrosis or fibrosis when they were cured of hep C with interferon-based treatment. Individuals were excluded from the analysis if they were coinfected with HIV or hepatitis B virus (HBV).
The analysis looked primarily at the risk of liver cancer after a hep C cure. As a secondary focus, the researchers analyzed the risk of clinical progression of liver disease, defined as either liver cancer, liver failure, liver transplantation or death.
The researchers concluded: “An important message of our study is that patients with HCV-related cirrhosis who have attained SVR should probably remain included in HCC surveillance programs.”
To read the study abstract, click here.
Read the complete article here: https://www.hepmag.com/article/high-risk-complications-posthep-c-cure-advanced-liver-damage