The response rates for each strategy were reported as point estimates.
IFN alone: ETR 24% (95% confidence interval, CI: 18 - 30), SVR 13% (95% CI: 9 - 17).
Combined therapy for IFN-naive patients: ETR 53% (95% CI: 47 - 60), SVR 31% (95% CI: 25 - 37).
IFN followed by combined therapy for relapsers: ETR 82% (95% CI: 76 - 88), SVR 49% (95% CI: 45 - 52).
IFN followed by combined therapy for relapsers and nonresponders: ETR 29% (95% CI: 17 - 42), SVR 17.5% (95% CI: 10 - 25).
HCV genotyping followed by 48 weeks' combined therapy (genotype 1): ETR 37% (95% CI: 29 - 44), SVR 28% (95% CI: 21 - 35).
HCV genotyping followed by 24 weeks' combined therapy (non-genotype 1): ETR 89% (95% CI: 79 - 100), SVR 68% (95% CI: 60 - 76).
The annual transition probability from chronic hepatitis C to compensated cirrhosis was 7.3%.
The annual transition probabilities were 3.9% from compensated cirrhosis to decompensated cirrhosis, and 1.4% from compensated cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma.
The annual transition probabilities were 1.4% from decompensated cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma, 3.1% from decompensated cirrhosis to liver transplantation, and 12.9% from decompensated cirrhosis to death.
The annual transition probability from hepatocellular carcinoma to death was 42.7%.
The annual transition probabilities from liver transplantation to death were 21% in the first year or 5.7% in successive years.
The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic patients was 1 to 4% over 20 years.
The utility values varied between 0.25 for hepatocellular carcinoma and 0.82 for chronic hepatitis C.