Premium
The impact of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C on the quality of life: a perspective
Author(s) -
Dusheiko Geoffrey
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.13292
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis c , intensive care medicine , antiviral therapy , pegylated interferon , chronic hepatitis , virology , virus , nursing
Instruments to assess the impact of hepatitis C virus infection on health and measurements of reported outcomes in patients (health‐related quality of life [HRQOL]) are not frequently used to assign priority for treatment. Several systematic reviews have been performed that provide a comprehensive analysis to help understand patient reported outcomes (PROs) with direct acting antiviral treatment. Clinical trials with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) provide an important opportunity to assess PROs without interferon or ribavirin. Significant improvement in quality of life parameters have been noted with DAA therapy. The results show improvement in HRQOL indices when interferon‐free and particularly interferon and ribavirin‐free treatments are compared to interferon and ribavirin treatment. Improvements in HRQOL indices are an encouraging aspect of the cure of chronic hepatitis C. It is unclear whether these measurable HRQOL improvements can be translated into a net benefit improvement in work productivity and a social dimension that is significant enough to convince payers of the added value of early and more widespread treatment.