Liver-Related Outcomes After HCV Treatment: Further Proof of Long-Term Benefits

A growing body of evidence shows improved liver-related outcomes tied to eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs; NEJM JW Gastroenterol May 2018 and Hepatology 2018; 68:827 and NEJM JW Gastroenterol Apr 2019 and Lancet 2019; 393:1453). In the current prospective cohort study, researchers evaluated the incidence of liver disease progression in patients receiving DAAs for HCV infection.

The cohort comprised 1760 patients receiving treatment at 23 hospitals in Latin America between 2016 and 2019. Patients with a history of decompensated liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or receipt of a liver transplant were excluded. Evidence of liver disease progression during follow-up included hepatic…