A new study, conducted at the Henry Ford Hospital, found alarming evidence that the number of patients who have advanced liver damage from the hepatitis C virus are substantially underestimated and underdiagnosed. The results will likely lead to a shift in the way patients are treated, as well as changes in policies governing chronic disease.
Researchers studied records of approximately 10,000 patients with hepatitis C, focusing on statistics from the racially and geographically diverse group who are being treated at four major U.S. health systems. Findings of liver damage were documented in 29 percent of participants, as well as the remarkable fact that 1,727 of 2,788 62 percent -- had not previously been diagnosed with cirrhosis.
Liver biopsy is the typical means for diagnosis, but Stuart Gordon, M.D., director and lead researcher of Hepatology at Henry Ford Hospital, called attention to the fact that, of the 9,783 study participants, only 661 diagnoses were made through this approach. Our results suggest a fourfold higher prevalence of cirrhosis than is indicated by biopsy alone, Gordon added.
The findings are particularly surprising according to Gordon, because there is an under-appreciated, easily obtained and widely available test done through lab work that can point out there's a problem. It's a simple test not routinely used by clinicians. A lot of patients in our study had cirrhosis and probably didn't know they had cirrhosis. In addition, electronic medical record reports may not be a reliable indicator of just how many hepatitis C patients may be suffering from cirrhosis.
Documented diagnosis of the widespread presence of cirrhosis will undoubtedly affect how decisions supporting screening for hepatitis C is handled in the future, as well as what therapies are prescribed, and when they are introduced. The timing of anti-viral therapy and follow-up counseling will be specifically affected.
Bill Maser, a representative for Reishi Force, said in a statement:
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver dysfunction and can lead to severe liver damage, cancer and eventually liver failure. It is vital to inhibit the cellular reproduction of Hepatitis C before the liver loses its ability to function properly leading to a host of serious health issues that typically result in high fatality rates in the U.S.
For more information on this new discovery, and what adjustments are being made based on these findings, interested parties should visit [http://reishiforce.com/uncategorized/liver-cirrhos...](http://reishiforce.com/uncategorized/liver-cirrhosis)
