Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a bloodborne
infection afflicting approximately 3.2 million
United States residents.1 Left untreated, the virus
can lead to fibrosis, with approximately 60%-70% of individuals
with HCV progressing to chronic liver disease. Of
the chronic liver disease population, 5%-20% will develop
cirrhosis, and 1%-5% of the cirrhotic population will die
from complications of the chronic infection, including those
associated with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma
(HCC). Chronic HCV infections are the most common
cause for liver transplant in America. Furthermore, it is estimated
that, by 2030, there will be approximately 13,000
deaths per year associated with HCV.2
Newer pharmacologic agents are revolutionizing the
treatment of chronic HCV with the recent Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approval of 2 direct-acting antiviral
(DAA) medications. Nurse practitioners now play an even
more crucial role in chronic HCV therapy because educating
patients on the treatment course and managing complicated
side effects have become more challenging.