The treatment of hepatitis C

- The recent advances in the antiviral therapy of hepatitis C have significantly lowered the threshold for offering such therapy to patients. - Sustained virological response rates of 42-46% are achieved after 48 weeks ofcombination therapy with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin in patients with genotype I infection. - In patients with a genotype 2 or 3 infection, 24 weeks of combination therapy leads to a sustained response rate of almost 80%. - The U.S. National Institutes of Health consensus states that every patient with hepatitis C should be considered for antiviral therapy. - Identification of the patients, selection for therapy, the provision of good information, guidance of the patient during therapy and a successful management of side effects lead to better treatment compliance and are of paramount importance in obtaining maximal therapeutic efficacy. - Supportive guidance during substance abuse withdrawal programmes and the adequate use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors should be part of these measures.