The American Gastroenterological Association released a new care pathway for managing U.S.-based patients with hepatitis C viral infections.
Here's what you should know:
1. Researcher estimates say approximately 50 percent of Americans with chronic HCV do not know the severity of their infection, with a large majority not receiving curative antiviral therapies.
2. New direct acting antiviral treatments could cure more than 2.7 million Americans.
3. Here are four important aspects of the pathway:
Establishing an HCV Care team with a care coordinator, a clinical pharmacist, an HCV specialist and a mental/substance abuse provider.The AGA says the care teams improve HCV treatments while sustaining virological responses.
Upon first contact, the care team needs to assess whether the patient is physically and mentally ready for treatment. After beginning treatment, researchers should prioritize treating the identified conditions from the first visit.
Following treatment, providers should monitor patients who do not achieve a sustained virologic response for progressive liver fibrosis.
Physicians should refer these nonresponsive patients to an HCV provider with access to clinical trials.
The full pathway is available here.
4. The AGA warns the pathway may not be applicable to patients and physicians outside the U.S.