Question of the Week

Question :

Posted On : 23 May 2005

What is the prognosis of advanced stage of hepatitis-C currently?

Expert Answer :

No expert answer available.

Answer Discussion :

thikra.m

poor prognosis

19 years ago

manar sayed

Infection with HCV is self-limited in only a small minority of infected persons. Chronic infection develops in 70-80 Percent of patients infected with HCV.
Cirrhosis develops within 20 years of disease onset in 20 Percent of persons with chronic infection.
HCC develops in 1-4 Percent of patients with cirrhosis each year after an average of 30 years. HCC is more common in the presence of cirrhosis, alcoholism, and HBV co-infection.
With the currently recommended therapy for chronic hepatitis C, which includes PEG-IFN and ribavirin, cure rates are as high as 60 Percent.

19 years ago

vasanthakumari

poor

19 years ago

pediatriconcall

The natural history of chronic HCV infection can vary dramatically between individuals. Some will have clinically insignificant or minimal liver disease and never develop complications. Others will have clinically apparent chronic hepatitis. Of these, some go on to develop cirrhosis, however, the exact percentages is not known. About 20 Percent of individuals with hepatitis C who do develop cirrhosis will develop end-stage liver disease. Individuals with cirrhosis from hepatitis C are also at an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. A major problem in discussing prognosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C is that it is difficult to predict who will have a relatively benign course and who will go on to develop cirrhosis or cancer. One fairly clear factor for progression to cirrhosis is concurrent alcohol abuse. Certain findings on liver biopsy can also be helpful in predicting a relatively benign or progressive course. Viral genotype may also play a role {Type 1 has a bad prognosis}. Prognosis is good in patients with sustained response to interferon. The key end point for treatment efficacy in chronic hepatitis C is absence of detectable virus at six months after treatment

19 years ago

allam

poor

19 years ago

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