Management of hepatitis C virus infection in HIV/HCV co-infected patients: Clinical review

Table 1 Baseline assessment before starting treatment in HCV-HIV co-infected patients

Assessment of liver diseases status

CTP staging

HCV-RNA

HCV genotype

AFP and USG/CT scan for HCC

HBV markers (HBsAg and anti-HBc)

HBV-DNA for patients with isolated anti-HBc to detect low level viremia

Anti-HAV IgG

Assessment of HIV disease status

Current and past opportunistic infections

HIV-associated malignancy

CD4 count

HIV viral load

Details of HAART

Assessment for problems precluding therapy or requiring control before therapy

TSH

Screening for depression or other psychiatric diseases

Complete blood count

Blood sugar

History of significant cardiac, renal, or pulmonary disease

Fundus examination for retinopathy

Beta HCG to exclude pregnancy in females

Urine toxicology screening to exclude concurrent active substance abuse

Social support and treatment compliance

HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; CTP: Child Turcotte Pugh; AFP: α-feto protein; USG: Ultrasonogram; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; HCC: Hepatocellular cancer; HAART: Highly active antiretroviral therapy; TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone; HCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin.