Cost-effectiveness of screening patients for hepatitis C

摘要: This review discusses the benefits and drawbacks of public health screening for hepatitis C, its cost effectiveness, various strategies to identify individuals infected with C virus (HCV). Of estimated 4 million people in United States, approximately 50% are unaware their infection. Both high incidence recent improvements treatment make it likely that a program this disease would be beneficial patients, families, public. Testing anti-HCV antibody is now widely available, automated, sensitive (>95%), relatively inexpensive (approximately $80 per test). Interferons introduction ribavirin into armamentarium have improved effectiveness therapy. Lifestyle modifications can made decrease risk transmission, patients counseled avoid alcohol consumption receive A B vaccinations, if appropriate. An additional benefit early detection family members alerted factors C. Such education increases overall awareness may improve prevention efforts. Several national agencies within States Europe issued guidelines screening. Each these calls high-risk populations, which include who received blood products intravenous drug users. Targeted outcomes will show identification those effective future.