Therapy insight: Management of hepatitis C in patients coinfected with HIV.

Abstract

Infection with HCV is common in HIV-infected patients and is an increasingly important public health problem. The medical management of hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients is complicated by immune suppression, potential drug interactions and toxicities, and the relative paucity of health-care providers with expertise in the management of both diseases. Nonetheless, there are now data to support the safety, tolerability and efficacy of hepatitis C treatment with peginterferon plus ribavirin in HIV-infected patients, and the impetus to treat these patients is, therefore, strong. Although the standard of care for the treatment of hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients has been more clearly defined, the delivery of care for hepatitis C remains inconsistent in many settings. The development and implementation of single-center multidisciplinary programs that combine the expertise of HIV specialists, hepatologists, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, and addiction specialists, are needed to improve hepatitis C treatment outcomes in HIV-infected patients. This review considers the management of HCV infection in HIV-infected patients.

• Authors: Mark S Sulkowski
• Journal: Nature clinical practice. Gastroenterology & hepatology (Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 2 Issue 5 Pg. 223-31 (May 2005) ISSN: 1743-4378 [Print] England
• PMID: 16265205 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• HIV Infections (complications, drug therapy)
• Hepatitis C (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans