Hepatitis C: Is Regression of Advanced Fibrosis Possible After Treatment? - European Medical Journal

Hepatitis C: Is Regression of Advanced Fibrosis Possible After Treatment?

Hepatology
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Authors:
Federico Sáez-Royuela, Ester Badia
Disclosure:

Federico Sáez-Royuela has received lecturing fees from Janssen-Cilag S.A. and Merck Sharp & Dhome Corp. Ester Badia has received lecturing fees from Janssen-Cilag S.A. and Gilead Sciences, S.L.

Received:
22.01.16
Accepted:
04.04.16
Citation:
EMJ. ;1[3]:126-132. DOI/10.33590/emj/10310547. https://doi.org/10.33590/emj/10310547.
Keywords:
Hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, regression fibrosis, liver biopsy, elasticity imaging techniques, therapy

Each article is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 License.

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis represents a severe complication for hepatitis C patients. Patients with cirrhosis require immediate treatment; a sustained virological response has been demonstrated to reduce the probability of complications and to improve the prognosis. The optimal outcome of treatment is regression, which in many cases is difficult to achieve due to histological changes. Nevertheless, cirrhosis regression has been reported in >50% of patients treated with antiviral drugs who were assessed by biopsy both before and after treatment. Similar results were obtained when transient elastography was used to estimate fibrosis stage. However, more studies with longer follow-up periods are necessary to confirm whether the decrease in liver stiffness resulting from a sustained virological response to a direct-acting antiviral is correlated with improved clinical outcomes.

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