Author information

• ¹Division of Gastroenterology and hepatology; Division of Clinical pathology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: Francesco.Negro@hcuge.ch.

Abstract

Treatment of hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals is safe and highly efficacious, resulting in viral clearance (sustained virological response, SVR) in the vast majority of patients. Although SVR is mostly permanent and associated with a significant reduction of liver morbidity and mortality, some patients may still suffer from a major risk of progressive liver damage, potentially leading to severe complications - including liver decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma and death. This concise review discusses some of the most important features of the residual liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C who have achieved SVR after antiviral therapy.