Newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with advanced hepatitis C treated with DAAs: A prospective population study.

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are safe and effective in patients with hepatitis C. Conflicting data were reported on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during/after therapy with DAAs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of newly diagnosed HCC and associated risk factors in patients with advanced hepatitis C treated with DAAs.

Alcohol is an important co-factor for both steatosis and fibrosis in Northern Italian patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) may be the result of both viral and host factors. To evaluate: (1) the relationship between steatosis and either host or viral factors; (2) the correlation between steatosis and fibrosis in patients with CHC.

Methods: A consecutive series of 349 patients were evaluated for steatosis.

A randomized trial of consensus interferon in combination with ribavirin as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: The aim of the present, open-labeled, randomized study was to determine the efficacy and safety of different doses of consensus interferon plus ribavirin in the initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: One hundred and one genotype 2/3 patients were randomized to receive 9 mcg (group A, n=48) or 18 mcg (group B, n=53) of consensus interferon thrice weekly plus ribavirin (1000/1200 mg/daily) for 24 weeks and 92 genotype 1 patients to receive 9 mcg (group C, n=47) or 18 mcg (group D, n=45) of consensus interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks.

Results: In an intention-to-treat analysis, the sustained virologic response at 24-week follow-up was 69% and 66% for group A and B (P=0.