Jelena Jakab

By Robert Smolić, Jelena Jakab, Lucija Kuna, Martina Smolić, Martina Kajić, Marinko Žulj and Aleksandar Včev

The complexity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is reflected in its therapy, and great efforts are needed from the patient and the physician to be successful in eliminating the infection. How HCV will progress depends a lot on patient characteristics and social factors, in addition to the timing of initiation, duration, and final results of the therapy. The first treatment approved for patients with chronic hepatitis C was interferon (IFN) which had a sustained viral response (SVR) rate in 20%. Due to side effects, the adherence to this treatment was limited and required a patient-tailored approach with various medical disciplines working together and intervening at the right time to minimize potential obstacles. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has contributed to the advancement of HCV treatment. However, a major obstacle to wide use of DAAs is their high price which has largely limited access to treatment. Guidelines and recommendations on treatment of hepatitis C have been developed to assist physicians and other health care providers to determine priority. Despite that, the arrival of new oral therapies has been met with enthusiasm as shorter, simpler, safer treatment allows for the possibility of delivering antiviral therapy on a large scale.

Part of the book: Update on Hepatitis C

By Aleksandar Včev, Jelena Jakab, Lucija Kuna and Martina Smolić

Chronic hepatitis C has a profound negative impact on both physical and mental well-being, thus decreasing health-related quality of life (HRQL). The most common complaints include symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and neurocognitive deficits. The burden of chronic HCV infections is multiplied by emotional and psychological issues that affect patients’ functional health and work ability. Treatment of chronic HCV infection may at the beginning cause worse HRQL rates, as a result of common adverse effects like fatigue, muscle aches, and depression. However, the relationship between sustained virologic response (SVR) and improvement in HRQL is well known. Treatment-related adverse effects may discourage patients from starting therapy and reduce their adherence to treatment. Novel agents, with improved adverse effect profiles and SVR rates, allow more patients the opportunity to achieve improvements in HRQL during and after treatment.

Part of the book: Update on Hepatitis C

By Jelena Jakab, Robert Smolić, Aleksandar Včev and Martina Smolić

Obesity is a complex metabolic and behavioural disorder associated with increased health risk, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Effective prevention and treatment strategies for obesity are needed. This unmet need for efficient and safe antiobesity medication resulted in many new therapies at various stages of development. Obesity has become one of the most intensively studied diseases because of the availability of suitable animal and cell culture models of adipocyte differentiation and appetite regulation.

Part of the book: Drug Discovery