[Hepatitis C]

Rev Med Interne. 1994;15(7):487-93. doi: 10.1016/s0248-8663(05)81475-4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), identified in 1989, is the main agent of Non-A, Non-B hepatitis. The number of HCV carriers in France is estimated between 500,000 and 2 millions. The main risk factors for HCV infection are blood products transfusion and i.v. drug abuse. Cirrhosis occurs in 30% of cases with a delay ranging from 10 to 30 years, and hepatocellular carcinoma in 2.5% of cases. Interferon is, for instance, the only effective therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C; however, prolonged response (in terms of transaminase normalization) after stopping treatment occurs only in 20% of patients.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Chronic Disease
  • Hepatitis C* / complications
  • Hepatitis C* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors