Hepatitis C disease progression: From 5 years to 50 years

Hepatitis C is the most common cause of end-stage liver disease and is the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Current treatment options have led to moderate success in viral eradication, but treatment options are limited by adverse effects, cost, and lower success rates in some difficult-to-treat groups. Studies of the natural history of chronic hepatitis C viral infection have yielded some risk factors that are likely to accelerate disease progression, such as advanced age, male gender, alcohol consumption, and HIV coinfection. Patients at significant risk for disease progression should be considered for staging liver biopsies, close monitoring, and possible treatment. Copyright © 2006 by Current Science Inc.