AbstractPDF
Abstract
In this new Dutch guideline for hepatitis C virus infection
we provide recommendations for the management of
hepatitis C infection. Until 2012 the standard for treatment
consisted of pegylated interferon alpha (peg-IFNa) and
ribavirin. The advent of first-generation direct antiviral
agents such as boceprevir and telaprevir has changed the
concept of treatment of adult chronic hepatitis C genotype
1 infected patients. There are three benefits of boceprevir and telaprevir. They increase the likelihood of cure in 1) naive genotype 1 patients and 2) in patients who did not respond to earlier treatment with peg-IFNa and ribavirin, while 3) allowing shortening of treatment duration from 48 weeks to 24 or 28 weeks, which is possible in 40-60% of non-cirrhotic naive (boceprevir and telaprevir) and relapsing patients (telaprevir). The use of boceprevir and telaprevir is associated with multiple side effects and awareness of these side effects is needed to guide the patient through the treatment process. This guideline, formulated on behalf of The Netherlands Association of Hepato-gastroenterologists, The Netherlands Association of Internal Medicine, and The Dutch Association for the Study of Liver Disease, serves as a manual for physicians for the management and treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis C virus monoinfection in adults.
