Hepatitis C: A Bitter Harvest

Editorials16 May 2006Hepatitis C: A Bitter HarvestJules L. Dienstag, MDJules L. Dienstag, MDFrom Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-144-10-200605160-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail We know a lot about chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV): It affects 170 million people worldwide, accounts for approximately 40% of all cases of chronic liver disease, can be associated with hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is the most common indication for liver transplantation (1). Although we have learned so much about this disease during the past 3 decades, we continue to be surprised by new insights and revelations.In this issue, 2 articles on HCV infection reinforce the far-reaching nature of this disease. In a thought-provoking article, McGuire and colleagues (2) describe the frequent occurrence of ...References1. Dienstag JL, McHutchison JG. American Gastroenterological Association technical review on the management of hepatitis C. Gastroenterology. 2006;130:231-64; quiz 214-7. [PMID: 16401486] Google Scholar2. McGuire BM, Julian BA, Bynon JS, Cook WJ, King SJ, Curtis JJ, et al. Brief communication: glomerulonephritis in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation. Ann Intern Med. 2006;144:735-41. LinkGoogle Scholar3. Kendrick EA, McVicar JP, Kowdley KV, Bronner MP, Emond MJ, Alpers CE, et al. Renal disease in hepatitis C-positive liver transplant recipients. Transplantation. 1997;63:1287-93. 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Dienstag, MDAffiliations: From Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.Disclosures: Other: GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Metabasis Therapeutics, SciClone, Nucleonics, Valeant, Schering-Plough Research Institute; Consultancies: Oxxon Therapeutics, CombinatoRx, Pharmasset.Corresponding Author: Jules L. Dienstag, MD, Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; e-mail, [email protected]org. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoThe Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the United States, 1999 through 2002 Gregory L. Armstrong , Annemarie Wasley , Edgar P. Simard , Geraldine M. McQuillan , Wendi L. Kuhnert , and Miriam J. Alter Brief Communication: Glomerulonephritis in Patients with Hepatitis C Cirrhosis Undergoing Liver Transplantation Brendan M. McGuire , Bruce A. Julian , J. Steve Bynon Jr , William J. Cook , Steven J. King , John J. Curtis , Neil A. Accortt , and Devin E. Eckhoff Metrics Cited bySuccessful Anti-HCV Therapy of a Former Intravenous Drug User with Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir in a Peritranspant Setting: A Case ReportMechanism of thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis C as evaluated by the immature platelet fractionThyroid disease is a favorable prognostic factor in achieving sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C undergoing combination therapy: A nested case control studyThyroid Dysfunction and Long-term Outcome during and after Interferon-alpha Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis CThyroid Function Outcomes after Pegylated Interferon-α and Ribavirin Therapy - For Chronic Hepatitis CDevelopment of thyroid diseases in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with α-interferon may be a good prognosticator in achieving a sustained virological response: A meta-analysisCritical issues in the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in methadone maintenance patientsCryoglobulinemia and renal diseaseIncidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma in the U.S. and Denmark: Recent trendsViral Hepatitis: Historical Perspectives from the 20th to the 21st CenturyPegylated interferon-?2? in combination with ribavirin does not aggravate thyroid dysfunction in comparison to regular interferon-?2? in a hepatitis C population: Meta-analysis 16 May 2006Volume 144, Issue 10Page: 770-771KeywordsBehaviorChronic liver diseaseDrug therapyDrugsHealth surveysHepatitis CHuman sexual behaviorInfectious diseasesLiver transplantationMedical risk factors ePublished: 16 May 2006 Issue Published: 16 May 2006 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2006 by American College of Physicians. 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