Glasgow Caledonian University study warns people cured of Hep C are at higher risk of death
More than 20,000 people took part in the research published in the British Medical Journal.
Last updated 3rd Aug 2023
People who have been cured of hepatitis C are at a much higher risk of death according to a study by Glasgow Caledonian University.
The research, which is the largest study of its kind, was published in the British Medical Journal and found that patients who have been cured of the virus are between three and 14 times more at risk of death – depending on the stage of liver disease.
More than 20,000 people took part in the research, which found that the main causes of death were related to drug and liver related issues.
Hepatitis C is a virus which can cause infection in the liver, which if left untreated can cause serious, life-threatening damage across a number of years.
The study’s Principal Investigator Dr Hamish Innes, Senior Research Fellow in the University’s School of Health and Life Sciences’ Research Centre for Health (ReaCH), said: “Our research shows that cured patients continue to face very high mortality rates after achieving a hepatitis C cure, driven by liver and drug-related causes.
“We should be doing much more to support patients after cure. Otherwise, when we look back in years to come, we may see hepatitis C elimination not only as a great achievement, but as a great missed opportunity too.”
New medicines known as direct acting antivirals (DAA) were developed around 2011, with over 95% of patients achieving a ‘virological cure’ and lowering the risk of death.
Rachel Halford, CEO of The Hepatitis C Trust, said: “This important research demonstrates the need for meaningful follow-up and support for patients who have had hepatitis C.
“The high number of liver cancer deaths found in this study highlights the importance of diagnosing hepatitis C as early as possible to treat the virus before it causes irreversible damage to the liver.
"Adherence to treatment and follow-up to make sure the virus has been cleared are crucial.”
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