Epidemiology, Screening, and Pretreatment Evaluation of the Patient With Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Chronic hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne pathogen, affecting approximately 3% of the world's population. In the United States, approximately 75% of the disease burden of hepatitis C is found in the 25% of the population born between 1945 and 1965. The slowly progressive disease leads to complications after years of infection in a majority of cases, and because of disparate prevalence, a high burden of disease is expected over the next 10-15 years. Previous treatments for hepatitis C had poor efficacy and tolerability and have not led to a significant reduction in projected disease burden. Newer treatments are more effective, better tolerated, and are changing the approach to chronic hepatitis C. Nurse practitioners are expected to continue to play key roles in the care of this patient population.