How the Hepatitis C Cure Affects Other Chronic Conditions
Hepatitis C infection is a chronic infection of the liver by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that continues to affect millions of people across the globe. Left untreated, infection with hepatitis C leads to worsening liver damage and puts the body in distress, which can lead to brain fog, abdominal pain, and internal bleeding. Many patients with hepatitis have co-occurring, ongoing conditions, including other infections and cardiometabolic diseases (those related to the heart, blood vessels, and metabolism).
However, there is great news for these patients. A treatment called direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medication, often referred to as DAAs, has been available since 2014. These medications have proven to cure hepatitis C infection in more than 95% of cases not just in closely managed trials, but also in community clinics. Compared with earlier treatments for hepatitis C infection, DAAs have minimal side effects and have been shown in a study to improve overall well-being when successful.
Curing HCV infection can lead to improvements in the other, common conditions that someone might have. People infected with HCV become more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those not infected, and patients with type 2 diabetes can face higher risks if infected with HCV. Similarly, HCV infection is a risk factor for high blood pressure (hypertension) and other heart disease. Although the exact biological reason for this is unclear, the liver is closely linked to both heart health and general metabolic/digestive health. This means that these parts of health are affected by HCV infection – and HCV cure.
In a study of patients at several gastroenterology/hepatology practices in the U.S., one year after treatment, almost half of patients with diabetes saw the condition improve, and about a third of those reported improvements in cholesterol and blood pressure. This study included male and female participants from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. The authors of the study suggest that because of the role of HCV in chronic inflammation and the importance of the liver, an improvement in liver health and function after curative treatment led to other improvements in health.
Better managing both cholesterol and blood pressure is an important part of maintaining good health – especially in managing type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of heart disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all adults 18 and older are screened at least once in their lifetime for hepatitis C – and that pregnant people are screened during each pregnancy. After screening, you should then verify with your insurance provider that the treatment will be covered.
With the existence of a powerful, curative treatment option for HCV infection, this screening is a valuable step towards optimal health – both for the liver and for other systems in the body. To find a testing location in the U.S. near you, input your ZIP code into the CDC’s GetTested website.
The statements and opinions presented in this blog post are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®), its Board of Governors, or the Methodology Committee.