Table 1 Descriptions of hepatitis C health states and treatment side effects.
From: Physicians' preference values for hepatitis C health states and antiviral therapy: A survey
| Â | Hepatitis C with No Symptoms, No Cirrhosis | |
Health State 1 | ||
|  | • | No physical symptoms |
|  | • | May transmit to sexual partner |
|  | • | May develop cirrhosis |
Health State 2 | ||
| Â | Hepatitis C with Mild Symptoms, No Cirrhosis | |
|  | • | Sometimes do not feel rested |
|  | • | Tire more easily than usual |
|  | • | May transmit to sexual partner |
|  | • | May develop cirrhosis |
Health State 3 | ||
| Â | Hepatitis C with Moderate Symptoms, | |
| Â | No Cirrhosis | |
|  | • | Frequently do not feel rested |
|  | • | Tire easily |
|  | • | Limited in physical activities |
|  | • | May transmit to sexual partner |
|  | • | May develop cirrhosis |
Health State 4 | ||
| Â | Hepatitis C with Mild Symptoms, Cirrhosis | |
|  | • | Sometimes do not feel rested |
|  | • | Tire more easily than usual |
|  | • | May transmit to sexual partner |
|  | • | Have cirrhosis |
|  | • | May get liver cancer |
|  | • | May get liver failure |
Health State 5 | ||
| Â | Hepatitis C with Severe Symptoms, Cirrhosis | |
|  | • | Sleep is disturbed |
|  | • | Usually feel tired |
|  | • | Limited in physical activities including work |
|  | • | Little interest in sex |
|  | • | Have cirrhosis |
|  | • | May get liver cancer |
|  | • | May need liver transplant |
Treatment Side Effects | ||
| Â | Side Effects of Treatment for Hepatitis C | |
|  | • | Needle sticks three times a week |
|  | • | Pills twice daily |
|  | • | Flu-like symptoms |
|  | • | Fever, chills, nausea, headache, poor |
| Â | Â | appetite |
|  | • | Tend to improve after the first 2 weeks |
|  | • | Tiredness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, |
| Â | Â | difficulty concentrating |
|  | • | Chance of other non-life threatening |
| Â | Â | medical problems that go away after |
| Â | Â | treatment is completed such as low blood |
| Â | Â | count, hair loss, and depression |