The rapid uptake of direct-acting antiviral therapy to treat Hepatitis C virus has been credited with an estimated 30% reduction in deaths from advanced liver disease but not every infected patient is reaping the benefits of this recent treatment advance, an Australian study reveals.

Despite a relatively high treatment uptake among those with recent drug dependence, other key patient populations such as the baby boomer generation are falling through the cracks, the research shows.

Victorian-based gastroenterologist Associate Professor Jacinta Holmes says the findings are a wake-up call for clinicians that not all patients with HCV fit the drug user stereotype.

“Many are older, highly functional, maybe have only experimented once or twice, or may even have no intravenous drug use history,” says Dr Holmes who is based at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne.