Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Older Adults

Abstract

Worldwide, more than 100 million people were infected with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Prevalence in Korea was estimated at as much as 0.6%. Because of the progressive aging of hepatitis C virus-infected people, the number of cases of CHC in older adults has been increasing. In older patients with CHC, greater acceleration of fibrosis with aging and higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development have been reported. Currently, with the popular all-oral combination of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment of CHC, the rates of sustained virologic response and treatment-related adverse events between patients younger and older than 65 years are not significantly different. Although clinicians should consider drug-drug interactions, comorbid medical condition, risk of disease progression, and long-term benefits of viral eradication by DAA, older age should not be a barrier to treatment.