HCV Website Offers Expert Advice, Guidelines on Treatment

By Joe Elia

A website designed to help physicians treat the estimated 3 to 4 million Americans with hepatitis C infection has made its debut.

Clinicians from the sponsoring organizations — the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the International Antiviral Society-USA — stress the ability of new direct-acting antivirals, such as simeprevir and sofosbuvir, to cure most patients. However, because there aren't enough specialists to treat all known cases, the hope is that more gastroenterologists and primary care clinicians will begin using these new regimens, given their improved tolerability.

A summary of the supporting evidence (and the quality of that evidence) follows each recommendation. The site does not address treatment costs.