Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in elderly patients.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

The issue of age in cases of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) in the West is a major problem; the average age of patients with HCV is increasing and its prevalence increases with advancing age.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

This review is devoted to the analysis of the limited number of clinical studies performed to treat HCV in elderly patients.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

The importance of the age factor is outlined in nearly all the studies done in the field. Advanced age is associated with a lower sustained virologic response (SVR) rate. Moreover, in elderly patients, these studies also tend to suggest that, before initiating an antiviral treatment, the physician should not only take into account the classical parameters associated with SVR but also the presence of co-morbidities and life expectancy. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Antiviral therapy should be used in selected elderly HCV patients with advanced fibrosis and more studies are required in this population to better define the parameters associated with SVR. As age is an important factor in the success of antiviral therapy, starting antiviral treatment at a young age should be favored.