Online Expert Advice for Clinicians Treating Hepatitis C Now Available at HCVguidelines.org

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 30 -- Infectious Diseases Society of America issued the following news release:

Today, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), in collaboration with the International Antiviral Society-USA (IAS-USA), announced the launch of a new website, HCVguidelines.org, that will offer up-to-date guidance for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

It is estimated that between 3 and 4 million Americans are infected with HCV and have chronic liver disease as a result. The most recent generation of direct-acting antivirals has the potential to cure most patients with HCV. However, the rapid pace of drug development has left medical providers and insurance companies unsure what the optimal treatments are. The guidance provided through HCVguidelines.org will assist clinicians in using these and other treatments in the care of their patients.

HCVguidelines.org is the result of an ongoing collaboration between the two medical professional societies and IAS-USA. A panel of 26 liver disease and infectious diseases specialists and a patient advocate developed evidenced-based, consensus recommendations for the screening, treatment and management of patients with HCV. This guidance will be made available for health care providers who treat the disease and others who need updated information on the best practices. The site will be updated regularly to keep pace with improved diagnostic tools and new drug options as they meet Food and Drug Administration approval.

"Recent changes in HCV testing guidelines have led to the diagnosis of increasing numbers of patients who were previously unaware of their infection. The guidance provided through HCVguidelines.org comes at a critical time as more and more of these patients seek treatment that has the potential to effectively 'cure' them," said Adrian Di Bisceglie, MD, FACP, president of AASLD.

"In just the past three months, two new medications became available for treating HCV that hold a great deal of promise for patients living with this disease, and more are expected. HCVguidelines.org provides physicians with the latest information and informed guidance on the available treatment options based on a rigorous review of data," said Barbara Murray, MD, FIDSA, president of IDSA.

"An estimated 3-4 million Americans are infected with HCV and are at risk of progressing to chronic liver disease as a result," said Michael Saag, MD, FIDSA, a member of the Board of Directors of the IAS-USA and a co-chair of the guidance panel. He added, "The presence of a readily available, frequently updated guidance document is a great service to providers and their patients, who will benefit from modern treatments that result in cure of HCV up to 95% of the time."

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