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Friday, January 26, 2018
News Recap:
Research and Discoveries:
Growing Evidence Shows Hepatitis C Intersects With Other Diseases. As many as three-quarters of individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) experience disorders related to the virus beyond the impact on their livers, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable estimates. HCV-related kidney disease, depression, skin disorders, lymphoma and other conditions can seriously impact a patient, even without severe damage to the liver, studies have shown.
Researchers find sofosbuvir effective in treating Zika-infected individuals. Researchers in California and Brazil said that sofosbuvir, a drug meant to treat and cure hepatitis C, could be as effective in treating people infected with Zika, especially in protecting the fetus of an infected pregnant women.
Chewing khat leaves increases risk for chronic liver disease. Khat is a flowering plant native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula used as a stimulant. However, it can also cause chronic liver disease. HCV support persons should be aware of this when dealing with people from cultures where its use is common.
Model predicts progression to acute liver failure in chronic HBV. A new prediction model revealed that hepatitis B DNA, international normalized ratio and older age correlated with an increased risk for the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic HBV
Treatment:
Treating Insulin Resistance in Hepatitis C-Infected Patients with Diabetes. This study shows that metformin (used to treat T2DM) also has a positive effect on SVR.
Ribavirin Remains Pivotal Component of Hepatitis C Treatment. A new cohort study published online in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics points out the pivotal role of ribavirin in the treatment of HCV in people with advanced cirrhosis, especially for those with GT3.
10 recent HCV reports: SVR outcomes, continued DAA efficacy. Read reports covering continued safety and efficacy analyses for new DAAs and continued studies on approved therapies, as well as data on SVR outcomes in specific demographics.
Epidemiology:
Hepatitis C: ‘6,000 in Wales have virus without knowing.’ About 12,000 people in Wales are living with hepatitis C, half of whom have it unknowingly. The Hepatitis C Trust said many people did not know sharing razors increased their risk of contracting it.
Population-based estimate of hepatitis C virus prevalence in Ontario, Canada. There is a new study of HCV prevalence in Canada which is much more accurate than those used previously by Health Canada in its decision NOT to screen baby boomers. This new study by noted researcher Jordan Feld is available online. Do you think they’ll listen?