Diagnosis and treatment of viral liver fibrosis

ABSTRACT

This review summarized the diagnostic value of fibrosis biomarkers and the efficacy of anti-viral treatments on fibrosis progression. Non-invasive biomarkers can facilitate the screening and management of chronic hepatitis C and B. Screening for significant fibrosis is mandatory as very effective anti-viral treatments are available, permitting to stop or to reduce the fibrosis progression. The reduction of fibrosis progression will decrease the mortality due to complications of cirrhosis. In patients with chronic hepatitis C, pegylated interferons combined with ribavirin are effective in reducing fibrosis progression. In patients with chronic hepatitis B, lamivudine, adefovir and pegylated interferon are also effective in reducing fibrosis progression. In patients with chronic hepatitis Delta, pegylated interferon is also effective in reducing fibrosis progression