The guidance was developed by a panel of HCV experts in the fields of hepatology and infectious diseases using an evidence-based review of information that is largely available to health care practitioners. The processes and detailed methods for developing the guidance are detailed in Methods Table 1. Recommendations are rated according to the strength of the recommendation and quality of the supporting evidence (AASLD-IDSA, 2015) (see Methods Table 2). Commonly used abbreviations are defined in Methods Table 3.
On an annual basis, the panel conducts systematic reviews using specified search terms for each section to identify available data to determine whether HCV screening, treatment regimens, monitoring, and management strategies should be classified as recommended, alternative, or not recommended for particular subgroups of persons with HCV infection. With regard to HCV treatments, recommended regimens are those that are favored for most persons with HCV infection in a given subgroup based on optimal efficacy, favorable tolerability and toxicity profiles, treatment duration, and pill burden. Alternative regimens are those that are effective but—relative to recommended regimens—have potential disadvantages, limitations for use in certain patient populations, or less supporting data than recommended regimens. In certain circumstances, an alternative regimen may be optimal for a specific person’s situation. Not recommended regimens are clearly inferior to recommended or alternative regimens due to factors such as lower efficacy, unfavorable tolerability and toxicity, longer treatment duration, and/or higher pill burden. Unless otherwise indicated, such regimens should not be administered to persons with HCV infection.
Related References
AASLD/IDSA HCV guidance panel. Hepatitis C guidance: AASLD-IDSA recommendations for testing, managing, and treating adults infected with hepatitis C virus. Hepatology. 2015;(62):932-954.
Last Update: July 12, 2024 Last Review: January 15, 2025
