The objective of this article is to provide health care of hepatitis C among injection drug users. (HEPATOLOGY providers, patients, and the general public with a respon-1997; 26(Suppl 1):2S-10S.) sible assessment of current available methods to diagnose, treat, and manage hepatitis C. A non-Federal, nonadvocate, 12-member panel representing the fields of The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of six viruses (A, B, C, D, E, and G) that together account for the majority of general internal medicine, hepatology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, medical ethics, transfusion medicine, cases of viral hepatitis. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 1988 to 1994 and other epidemiology, biostatistics, and the public participated. In addition, 25 experts from these same fields presented population-based surveys, estimates of the incidence and prevalence of HCV infection have been made. Nearly four data to the panel and a conference audience of 1,600. The literature was searched through Medline, and an ex-million Americans are infected with hepatitis C. The infection is more common in minority populations (3.2% of blacks tensive bibliography of references was provided to the panel and the conference audience. Experts prepared ab-and 2.1% of Mexican-Americans) than in non-Hispanic whites (1.5%). The incidence of hepatitis C infection appears stracts with relevant citations from the literature. Scientific evidence was given precedence over clinical anec-to be declining since its peak in 1989. Currently, approximately 30,000 acute new infections are estimated to occur dotal experience. The panel, answering predefined questions, developed their conclusions based on the sci-each year, approximately 25% to 30% of which are diagnosed.Hepatitis C accounts for 20% of all cases of acute hepatitis. entific evidence presented in open forum and the scientific literature. The panel composed a draft statement Currently, hepatitis C is responsible for an estimated 8,000to 10,000 deaths annually, and without effective intervention that was read in its entirety and circulated to the experts and the audience for comment. Thereafter, the panel re-that number is postulated to triple in the next 10 to 20 years.Hepatitis C is now the leading reason for liver transplantation solved conflicting recommendations and released a revised statement at the end of the conference. The panel in the United States.The switch from commercial to volunteer blood donors finalized the revisions within a few weeks after conference. Hepatitis C is a common infection with variable and the development of a diagnostic blood test for hepatitis B in the early 1970s led to screening of blood donors and course that can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The course of illness may be reduced from 30% to 10% the incidence of hepatitis after multiple transfusions. The remainder of these transfusionadversely affected by various factors, especially alcohol consumption. Therefore, more than one drink per day is ass...
