Characteristics of patients with hepatitis C virus infection and antiviral treatment initiation in Taiwan: The MOSAIC study.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. Monitoring its epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment patterns are important for the management of patients with chronic HCV infection from both individual and public health perspectives. The MOSAIC study was an observational study conducted in 20 countries, including Taiwan; its primary objective was to describe epidemiology and treatment initiation patterns in patients seeking HCV care. Of the 111 chronic HCV patients enrolled from Taiwan, 58 (52.3%) had not previously received treatment. HCV genotype 1 was reported in 58 (52.3%) patients, of whom the majority (n = 47; 81.0%) were identified as having subtype 1b. Sixty-two (55.9%) patients had HCV RNA level > 800 000 IU/mL. Liver cirrhosis was found in 35 (29.3%) patients and was more prevalent in patients who previously received treatment (71.0%). Interferon (IFN)-based treatment was started within 12 weeks from study inclusion in 12 (10.8%) patients, of whom 11 (91.7%) who had not previously received treatment. Anti-HCV treatment was not recommended by physicians in 70 (71.4%) and was refused by 23 (23.5%) patients. The MOSAIC study provides data on the epidemiology of HCV infection and IFN-based treatment decision patterns in Taiwan. Further studies are needed to observe the impact of IFN-free treatment on the treatment selection pattern.