http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) explores pharmaceutical advances for treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and hepatitis C. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-pharmaceutical-advances-options-health-outcomes.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 20 May 2013 09:10:55 EST news288259848 Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that targeted screening for populations with a higher estimated prevalence for hepatitis C may be cost-effective. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-screening-hepatitis-cost-effective.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:45:19 EST news286019112 (HealthDay)—Sofosbuvir seems to be a promising treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to two studies published online April 23 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with presentation at The International Liver Congress, the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver, held from April 24 to 28 in Amsterdam. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-sofosbuvir-chronic-hepatitis-infection.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:10:04 EST news285940342 People with hepatitis C and chronic liver disease who relapsed or failed to respond to initial treatment are unlikely to improve on interferon retreatment. In fact, they may face an increased risk of dying sooner, and are likely to experience a variety of adverse effects, according to an updated systematic review published in The Cochrane Library. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-chronic-hepatitis-interferon-re-treatment.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:00:01 EST news278790292 (Medical Xpress)—Scientists have discovered a gene that interferes with the clearance of hepatitis C virus infection. They also identified an inherited variant within this gene, Interferon Lambda 4 (IFNL4), that predicts how people respond to treatment for hepatitis C infection. The results of this study, by investigators at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH, and their collaborators at NIH and other institutions, were published online in Nature Genetics on Jan. 6, 2013. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-team-gene-affects-clearance-hepatitis.html Genetics Tue, 08 Jan 2013 06:15:04 EST news276848091 Among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and advanced hepatic fibrosis (development of excess fibrous connective tissue), sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon-based treatment was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared with patients without SVR, according to a study in the December 26 issue of JAMA. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-sustained-virological-response-linked-survival.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 25 Dec 2012 16:00:02 EST news275576845 Just 20 percent of people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) begin the recommended treatment regimen and less than 5 percent go on to successfully overcome the virus, according to a new review in General Hospital Psychiatry. This is despite the availability of highly effective anti-viral drugs that clear hepatitis C virus in about 80 percent of patients participating in clinical trials. Major barriers to recommended care are substance abuse and depression in HCV patients. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-people-hepatitis-untreated-effective-drugs.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:40:01 EST news274349852 Treating chronic hepatitis C infection with antiviral drugs could halve the risk of developing the most common form of liver cancer, in some cases, indicates an analysis of the published research in one of the new BMJ Open Editions. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-antiviral-therapy-halve-liver-cancer.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:30:04 EST news270137112 Incarcerated patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are just as likely to respond to treatment for the disease as patients in the community, according to findings published in the October issue of Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) in Madison found that HCV patients in prison were just as likely to achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) as non-incarcerated patients. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-hepatitis-infection-prison-good-policy.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:40:49 EST news267972037 The drug telaprevir (trade name: Incivo) has been available for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection of genotype 1 since autumn 2011. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined whether telaprevir offers an added benefit compared with the present standard therapy. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-telaprevir-added-benefit-patients-hepatitis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:38:37 EST news266067506 Researchers have discovered molecular and protein signatures that predict rapid onset of liver damage in hepatitis C patients following a liver transplant. The markers appeared soon after transplant and well before clinical evidence of liver damage. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-molecular-protein-markers-liver-transplant.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:06:02 EST news264348356 Use of the botanical product silymarin, an extract of milk thistle that is commonly used by some patients with chronic liver disease, did not provide greater benefit than placebo for patients with treatment-resistant chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to a study in the July 18 issue of JAMA. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-chronic-hepatitis-thistle-beneficial.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:00:08 EST news261750406 The number of baby boomers dying from a "silent epidemic" of hepatitis C infections is increasing so rapidly that federal officials are planning a new nationwide push for widespread testing. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-hepatitis-baby-boomers.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 02 May 2012 09:00:01 EST news255163999 Italian researchers report that severe fibrosis increases the early atherosclerosis risk in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A second study found that fatty liver disease also increases risk of developing atherosclerosis at an earlier period. Both studies appear in the May issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-fibrosis-fatty-liver-disease-early.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:52:31 EST news254483544 Tremelimumab treatment stabilized patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma due to chronic hepatitis C infection for more than 12 months, according to data presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2012, held here March 31 – April 4. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-tremelimumab-treatment-liver-cancer.html Cancer Tue, 03 Apr 2012 06:22:06 EST news252652917 Broader screening to identify people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) would likely be cost effective, according to a new report published in Clinical Infectious Diseases and available online. Significantly reducing HCV-related mortality and morbidity, however, will require a coordinated effort that emphasizes not only increased testing but also linking those infected with the treatment they need. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-broader-screening-hepatitis-effective.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:41:08 EST news250951261 (AP) -- Deaths from liver-destroying hepatitis C are on the rise, and new data shows baby boomers especially should take heed - they are most at risk. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-hepatitis-deaths-baby-boomers.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:21:57 EST news248984507 A new classification for diagnosing fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) has shown to be as accurate as currently used algorithms, but required no further liver biopsy. The study appearing in the January issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, details a method that synchronously combines two fibrosis tests, providing a non-invasive and more precise fibrosis diagnosis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-fibrosis-classification-accuracy-diagnosis-hepatitis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:41:24 EST news245428874 The active ingredient boceprevir has been available since the middle of 2011 as a treatment for chronic hepatitis C of genotype 1. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has now examined to establish whether boceprevir offers added benefit in comparison with the previous standard therapy. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-boceprevir-indication-added-benefit-specific.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:37:27 EST news242649434 US biotech firm Gilead Sciences announced plans Monday to acquire rival Pharmasset, a group specializing in treatments for AIDS and hepatitis, for $11 billion. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-gilead-pharma-rival-pharmasset.html Medications Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:49:48 EST news241094980 A human monoclonal antibody developed by MassBiologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) given to patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection undergoing liver transplantation significantly suppressed the virus for at least a week after transplant and delayed the time to viral rebound. Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study were presented this week at The Liver Meeting, the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, in San Francisco. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-experimental-drug-suppresses-rebound-hepatitis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:02:35 EST news239904145 Health care costs for hepatitis C patients with end-stage liver disease are nearly 2.5 times higher than those in the early stages, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-economic-advanced-liver-disease.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:25:32 EST news239894718 Studies reporting on the effectiveness of new therapies for chronic Hepatitis C virus are among the clinical science presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 76th Annual Scientific Meeting, where investigators also presented findings from an age-based risk assessment and screening intervention for Hepatitis C among Baby Boomers, patients aged 50-65, who saw a gastroenterologist for routine colon cancer screening. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-treatment-options-screening-strategies-hepatitis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:52:17 EST news239277123 Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to chronic hepatitis C and then progress to fatal liver diseases including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Worldwide, more than 170 million people are infected with HCV, and the virus accounts for 30–70% of liver cancer cases. The recent identification of a genetic variant associated with increased susceptibility to hepatitis C virus-induced liver cancer could have major implications for global healthcare, as it may lead to tests that predict liver cancer susceptibility. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-07-tell-tale-liver-cancer.html Genetics Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:39:59 EST news229351177 A genome-wide study by researchers at the RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital and Sapporo-Kosei General Hospital has identified a genetic variant associated with the development of liver cancer in chronic hepatitis C virus carriers. The findings are based on a study of 3,312 Japanese individuals and appear in the journal Nature Genetics. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-07-genetic-variant-linked-liver-cancer.html Genetics Sun, 03 Jul 2011 13:00:01 EST news228916647 New research confirms that a variant on the patatin-like phospholipase-3 (PNPLA3) gene increases risk of steatosis and fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The PNPLA3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs 738409 may represent an important genetic predictor and potential therapeutic target in chronic HCV liver damage. Study details are published in the July issue of Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-gene-variant-fatty-liver-fibrosis.html Genetics Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:45:37 EST news228476717 The drug telaprevir (Incivek) provides a dramatic improvement in the treatment of the most common form of hepatitis C infection, says an international team of investigators led by Dr. Ira M. Jacobson of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-drug-breakthrough-treatment-hepatitis.html Medications Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:23:00 EST news227982164 Non-invasive tests for liver fibrosis, such as liver stiffness measurement or the FibroTest, can predict survival of patients with chronic hepatitis C, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-noninvasive-liver-hepatitis-patient-survival.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:47:58 EST news227267261 Although liver-related mortality among those infected with hepatitis C is well-documented, little is known about deaths in these patients that are not related to liver problems. A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases and now available online sought to determine mortality from all causes, including liver- and non-liver related deaths among hepatitis C patients in the general U.S. population. The analysis found mortality from all causes to be higher in these patients. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-analysis-mortality-higher-hepatitis-c-infected.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Fri, 10 Jun 2011 03:10:13 EST news226894121 Advanced hepatitis C patients with chronic liver disease may benefit from drinking coffee during treatment, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. Patients who received peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment and who drank three or more cups of coffee per day were two times more likely to respond to treatment than non-drinkers. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-coffee-hepatitis-treatment-response.html Addiction Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:35:05 EST news226661649