Hepatitis C with very good chances of recovery

New treatment for hepatitis C - hope for all concerned

07/22/2014

Many people in Germany suffer from hepatitis infection without being aware of their condition. To raise awareness about the risks of hepatitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched World Hepatitis Day three years ago, which takes place on July 28 each year. Worldwide, according to the WHO „One in twelve people are infected with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus“ and in Germany, according to estimates of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) affected up to one million people.

„The treachery of viral hepatitis is that many people do not even feel that they may have been carrying the virus for years“, reports the WHO. The liver suffers from dumb and warning symptoms would often fail for years. Although they are „Treatment options for chronic hepatitis C are better than ever, but only a minority of patients are diagnosed and still less receive treatment“, the WHO criticized. Without therapy, both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are subject to potential long-term fatal consequences such as liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.

Many hepatitis infections are not detected
„The sooner the infection is detected, the better it can be treated“, according to the WHO communication. The treatment has made great progress in the last ten years. Today is „Hepatitis B controllable“ and „Hepatitis C curable“, reports the World Health Organization. However, the diagnostic rate in Germany is estimated to be just over 50 percent. Of the hepatitis C patients, according to the WHO „only two to three at all a treatment and thus a chance of recovery.“ National screening programs are missing here to significantly improve the diagnosis rate. Neither the systematic investigation of risk groups (for example, recipients of blood products prior to 1991 or even active and former drug addicts) nor control of the liver values ​​in the context of preventive examinations are standard in Germany, according to the WHO.

New drugs for hepatitis C treatment
The World Health Organization experts continue to report that „Hepatitis C therapy is undergoing a medical revolution.“ So until recently, the treatments were still associated with severe side effects and have not been successful or feasible in many patients. Now, new drugs would promise shorter treatment times, fewer side effects, and chances for recovery usually over 90 percent. „Syringes with interferon, which are notorious for side effects such as depression, flu symptoms and blood cell changes, are increasingly dispensable“, explains the WHO. The first new active substances have been approved since January 2014 and others will follow shortly. Ingo van Thiel, spokesman for Deutsche Leberhilfe, said that this development is great from a medical perspective. This is one for the patients who can be treated „great achievement.“ However, so far only a fraction of those infected with hepatitis C are treated. „If we fail to raise the rates of diagnosis and provide access to treatment for all diagnosed patients, hepatitis C will continue to be a major health threat in Germany and cost many lives“, stressed van Thiel.

Elevated liver values ​​as a warning signal
In particular, elevated liver values ​​are, according to the WHO, a possible - but often unrecognized - indication of hepatitis. Accordingly, Deutsche Leberhilfe recommends the regular collection of liver values ​​during routine examinations. „This would be an easy way to increase the rates of diagnosis of liver disease and treat it early“, emphasized Ingo van Thiel. Because only a few people with viral hepatitis develop conspicuous symptoms such as the typical jaundice (jaundice) with a yellowing of the eyes and skin. Mostly non-specific complaints such as tiredness, dark urine or pressure sensation in the upper abdomen are observed, which theoretically could also be related to other diseases. In addition, many sufferers show for years no symptoms, which viral hepatitis also the reputation as „silent killer“ has brought.

National Action Plan against viral hepatitis
Although the new therapy for hepatitis C infections offers a promising treatment option with a high chance of recovery and relatively minor side effects, the high prices of the new drugs, which can cost well over 100,000 euros depending on the patient, according to Ingo van Thiel as a treatment barrier to rate. „Here it would be very desirable for manufacturers to lower their prices“, emphasized the speaker of the German Liver Assistance. In addition, the WHO and the Deutsche Leberhilfe agree that a national action plan to combat viral hepatitis is needed to enable early diagnosis and timely access to adequate treatment. Since 2013, the Federal Government has presented such an action plan against viral hepatitis, which was drafted by a broad coalition of action and awaits implementation. „Measures for the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis, whose implementation is urgently needed, are addressed both to the general public and especially to at-risk groups“, reports the WHO. In addition, such an action plan could put the topic of hepatitis in general more into the focus of public awareness. (Fp)