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Definition and management of anemia in patients infected with hepatitis C virus.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McHutchison, JG; Manns, MP; Longo, DL
Published in: Liver Int
May 2006

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) can progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and end-stage liver disease. The current best treatment for HCV infection is combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Although this regimen produces sustained virologic responses (SVRs) in approximately 50% of patients, it can be associated with a potentially dose-limiting hemolytic anemia. Hemoglobin concentrations decrease mainly as a result of ribavirin-induced hemolysis, and this anemia can be problematic in patients with HCV infection, especially those who have comorbid renal or cardiovascular disorders. In general, anemia can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality, and may have negative effects on cerebral function and quality of life. Although ribavirin-associated anemia can be reversed by dose reduction or discontinuation, this approach compromises outcomes by significantly decreasing SVR rates. Recombinant human erythropoietin has been used to manage ribavirin-associated anemia but has other potential disadvantages. Viramidine, a liver-targeting prodrug of ribavirin, has the potential to maintain the virologic efficacy of ribavirin while decreasing the risk of hemolytic anemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Liver Int

DOI

ISSN

1478-3223

Publication Date

May 2006

Volume

26

Issue

4

Start / End Page

389 / 398

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ribavirin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Quality of Life
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepacivirus
  • Hemoglobins
 

Citation

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McHutchison, J. G., Manns, M. P., & Longo, D. L. (2006). Definition and management of anemia in patients infected with hepatitis C virus. Liver Int, 26(4), 389–398. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01228.x
McHutchison, John G., Michael P. Manns, and Dan L. Longo. “Definition and management of anemia in patients infected with hepatitis C virus.Liver Int 26, no. 4 (May 2006): 389–98. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01228.x.
McHutchison JG, Manns MP, Longo DL. Definition and management of anemia in patients infected with hepatitis C virus. Liver Int. 2006 May;26(4):389–98.
McHutchison, John G., et al. “Definition and management of anemia in patients infected with hepatitis C virus.Liver Int, vol. 26, no. 4, May 2006, pp. 389–98. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01228.x.
McHutchison JG, Manns MP, Longo DL. Definition and management of anemia in patients infected with hepatitis C virus. Liver Int. 2006 May;26(4):389–398.
Journal cover image

Published In

Liver Int

DOI

ISSN

1478-3223

Publication Date

May 2006

Volume

26

Issue

4

Start / End Page

389 / 398

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ribavirin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Quality of Life
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepacivirus
  • Hemoglobins