Long‐term treatment of chronic hepatitis C with ursodeoxycholic acid: influence of HCV genotypes and severity of liver disease

Abstract

Long-term UDCA treatment is well tolerated in patients with HCV-associated chronic liver disease. The effect appears to be greater in cirrhotics than in patients with chronic hepatitis but is independent of HCV genotypes. Thus, long-term UDCA treatment, despite the absence of an anti-viral effect, seems beneficial in reducing disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis who are unsuitable for IFN therapy.