Korean J Gastroenterol.  2003 Mar;41(3):161-164.

Natural Course of Hepatitis C Infection in Japan

Affiliations
  • 1Clinical Research Center, National Nagasaki Medical Center, Nagasaki, Japan. kyano-kkr@umin.ac.jp

Abstract

The natural course of chronic hepatitis C can be classified into several phases. These phases include persistent phase, asymptomatic phase, and active or aggressive phase. Chronic persistent hepatitis progresses very slowly, if any. On the other hand, chronic aggressive hepatitis frequently develops liver cirrhosis soon. The difference between these two probably depends on the host immune system that is related to age, rather than the duration of infection. Our longitudinal study revealed that chronic persistent hepatitis often transforms to active or aggressive hepatitis at around the age of 45.

Keyword

Hepatitis C; Natural course; Fibrosis; Age; Carcinoma; hepatocellular
Full Text Links
  • KJG
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr