Treatment Regimens for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Question | Discussion | References | CME Credit | CNE Credit

Authors:	Amit Singal, MD
	Margaret C. Shuhart, MD

Last updated: February 1, 2006

A 47-year-old Caucasian male with chronic hepatitis C virus infection presents to your office to further discuss hepatitis C treatment. He has not previously been treated. His evaluation to date reveals that he is infected with genotype 1a and has a hepatitis C viral load of 1.7 million IU/mL. His liver biopsy shows findings typical of chronic hepatitis C with bridging fibrosis (stage 3 of 4, where 4 is cirrhosis). He is otherwise well and has no major medical or psychiatric problems.

Which of the following is the optimal approach regarding hepatitis C treatment for this patient?

	Begin pegylated interferon once weekly and ribavirin twice daily for 24 weeks.
	Begin pegylated interferon once weekly and ribavirin twice daily for 48 weeks.
	Begin pegylated interferon once weekly. Ribavirin is not indicated in this patient.
	Continue to monitor the patient and repeat liver biopsy in three years.