Prevalence and economic burden of extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus are underestimated but can be improved with therapy.

ABSTRACT: Despite guideline recommendations, access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is frequently restricted, with some payers approving therapy for only those with advanced disease or cirrhosis. However, delaying potentially curative treatment until the development of advanced liver disease may have costly consequences in terms of both hepatic complications and extrahepatic manifestations (EHMs) of HCV. Using a large claims database from the United States, we measured the risks and medical costs of 20 EHMs and investigated the role of treatment in different stages of liver fibrosis for mitigating the clinical and economic burden of these EHMs. After adjusting for potential confounders, including comorbid liver disease, patients with HCV had a significantly higher risk for any EHM (adjusted odd

SUBMITTER: Reau N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5721412 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature