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Diagnosis and Management of Hepatitis C
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Purpose
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The goal of this activity is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the field regarding hepatitis C, with specific emphasis on the current thought on pharmacokinetic effects on regimen choice, liver biopsy and genotype variations.
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Program Overview
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This program encompasses the most current thought on the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C. Basic discussion of the epidemiology, natural history and course of the disease are presented. In addition, topic highlights include an in-depth discussion of the latest thought on the pegylated interferon regimens and the applicable pharmacokinetics. Special highlights of the program include a discussion of special populations, including those with morbid obesity and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. A discussion of the role and indications of liver biopsy, as well as side-effect management, are other important areas that are covered in detail.
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Audience
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This program has been specifically developed to update and educate gastroenterologists and primary care physicians about the most current rationales behind the diagnosis, treatment and management of the patient with hepatitis C.
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Learning Objectives
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Following completion of this CME activity, participants should be better able to:
- Outline the epidemiology and natural history of hepatitis C
- Describe the pharmacokinetics of the pegylated interferons and their use in combination therapy
- Differentiate factors that may put patients at risk for discontinuation of therapy
- Discuss the current thought regarding use of liver biopsy and its role in the treatment of hepatitis C
- Outline issues that are specific to special populations, including those affected by HIV/HCV coinfection, morbid obesity, ethnicity and transplantation
- Understand the therapeutic regimen and the intricacies in choosing the regimen based on fixed dosing or weight-based dosing
- Describe some of the common problems associated with assessing the virologic response
- Describe the scoring methods available and the interpretation of liver biopsy scores
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Faculty
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Emmet B. Keeffe, MD
Professor of Medicine
Stanford University Medical Center
>> Read Biography
Michael W. Fried, MD
Professor of Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
>> Read Biography
Gary L. Davis, MD
Director of Hepatology
Baylor University Medical Center
>> Read Biography
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Faculty Disclosure Information
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In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education Standards for Commercial Support, faculty members for this activity were each asked to complete financial disclosure forms. Disclosures are provided below.
Emmet B. Keeffe, MD
Advisory Boards: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Gilead Sciences, Roche
Consultant: Chiron, GlaxoSmithKline
Grant/Research Support: Roche Laboratories, Valeant
Speakers' Bureau: Lectures: Gilead Sciences, Roche Laboratories
Michael W. Fried, MD
Grant/Research Support: Hoffman-La Roche, Ortho Biotech
Gary L. Davis, MD
Grant/Research Support: Roche Laboratories, SciClone, Gilead, InterMune, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals
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Software Requirements
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Internet Explorer (4.0 or greater), Windows 98 and Windows Media Player (7.0 or greater), or Adobe Acrobat (5.0 or greater)
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Release Date
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May 15, 2004
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Expiration Date
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May 15, 2006
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Fee
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Free-of-charge
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Sponsorship and Support
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Sponsored by the AGA. Supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Roche Laboratories Inc.
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Program Segments
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Opening Remark
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Introduction & Epidemiology: Risk Factors & Transmission
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Key Clinical Issue:
HIV/HCV Coinfection
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Diagnosis
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Key Clinical Issue:
Noninvasive Markers of Fibrosis
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Antibody Assays: EIA, ELISA & Viral Load
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Key Clinical Issues:
HCV Genotype Determination; Mother-to-infant Transmission; Accidental Exposure
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Natural History
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Disease Course
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Treatment
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Key Clinical Issues:
Pharmacokinetics of Pegylation; Therapeutic Intolerance & Side-Effect Management
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Assessing Virologic Response to Therapy
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Key Clinical Issue:
Defining Relapse, Responders & Non-Responders
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Special Populations:
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HIV/HCV Coinfection
Transplant
Morbid Obesity
Ethnicity
Women of Child-Bearing Age
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Closing Remarks
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