Natural History of Hepatitis C

  • Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015 Dec;44(4):717-34. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2015.07.003.
Shilpa Lingala  1 ,  Marc G Ghany  2
Affiliations
  • 1. Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 9B-16, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1800, Bethesda, MD 20892-1800, USA.
  • 2. Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 9B-16, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1800, Bethesda, MD 20892-1800, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 26600216 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2015.07.003
Abstract

Hepatitis C Infection is a common cause of cirrhosis and indication for liver transplantation in the United States. The incidence of chronic hepatitis C has been declining, but rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are projected to increase. The outcome of chronic hepatitis C is variable. It is estimated that 20% to 25% will develop cirrhosis over a 25-year to 30-year period. The rate of disease progression is influenced by many host, viral, and environmental factors. Few can be modified.

Keywords
Chronic hepatitis C; Cirrhosis; Decompensated liver disease; Fibrosis; Hepatitis C virus; Natural history.