Fewer US hepatitis C patients receiving antiviral therapy

24 Nov 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

The number of hepatitis C (HCV) patients receiving antiviral therapy in the US appears to be on the decline.

This is according to researchers at the University of Michigan, who believe that this is partly because only half of patients know they are infected.

It was revealed that only 663,000 of the 3.9 million US people with HCV received antiviral therapy between 2002 and 2007.

Scientists warned that, if this trend continues, fewer than 15 per cent of liver-related HCV fatalities will be prevented by antiviral therapy by 2030.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey Hepatitis C Follow-Up Questionnaire, almost half (49 per cent) of patients were previously unaware of their diagnosis while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) were not recommended treatment by their doctor.

Just 12 per cent received treatment, while a further eight per cent refused it outright.

Study lead author Dr Michael Volk concluded: "Even with the development of new and better medications on the horizon, such medications will have less than optimal impact unless more patients are diagnosed and referred for treatment."

People who suspect they may have the HCV virus should be wary of symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite.

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