Implementation of a decentralized hepatitis C care pathway for people who use drugs in Dutch addiction care. Study protocol for the Hepatitis C: chain of addiction care (CAC) project.

Background: People who use drugs (PWUD) are at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its complications. Given the high prevalence rate of HCV in PWUD, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes PWUD as a target population for HCV elimination. The introduction of pangenotypic direct acting antivirals (DAAs) greatly simplifies HCV treatment, which encourages integration of HCV treatment in primary care.

Identification of the Best Direct-Acting Antiviral Regimen for Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 3 Infection: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, although results for patients infected with genotype 3 are suboptimal. There are several regimens available, however, direct comparisons have not been made and are unlikely to occur. We aimed to identify the most effective DAA regimen for patients infected with HCV genotype 3 and to assess the role of ribavirin.

Limited Generalizability of Registration Trials in Hepatitis C: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Approval of drugs in chronic hepatitis C is supported by registration trials. These trials might have limited generalizability through use of strict eligibility criteria. We compared effectiveness and safety of real world hepatitis C patients eligible and ineligible for registration trials.

High Risk of Infection During Triple Therapy with First-Generation Protease Inhibitors: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: Peginterferon (PegIFN) remains the backbone of therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in economically constrained regions. However, PegIFN may cause neutropenia and addition of a protease inhibitor can increase the likelihood of neutropenia. The aims of this study were to assess the occurrence of clinically relevant infections during first-generation protease inhibitor based therapy and its risk factors as well as the relation to treatment-induced neutropenia.

The ARRIBA concept: adequate resorption of ribavirin.

Background: Adequate ribavirin exposure is essential for optimal sustained virological response (SVR) rates in chronic HCV treatment. It has been proposed that the area under the concentration-time curve up to 4 h after intake of ribavirin (AUC0-4 h) of the first weight-based ribavirin dose should be ≥1.755 mg•h/l to guarantee the highest chance of SVR.