ELPA launches new digital guide ‘C: My Journey’ for people diagnosed with hepatitis C

The European Liver Patients Association (ELPA) has launched ‘C: My Journey’, an online resource where people diagnosed with hepatitis C can go to find out more about the condition, how to manage it and how to get support.

Mrs Tatjana Reic, ELPA President, said “Hepatitis C is a complex condition and everyone’s journey is different. One of the many challenges that people living with hepatitis C face is finding clear and accessible information that is relevant to their own experience. ‘C: My Journey’ is an online resource that leads individuals living with hepatitis C to the information and support that is relevant for their stage of disease lifestyle and demographic.”

The English-language guide is also translated into four regional languages to reach patients in countries with both a high prevalence of hepatitis C and a general lack of patient support resources. These include Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania and Macedonia. A Hungarian version will be available in the coming weeks. In addition, the guide will be presented at The International Liver Conference™ in Vienna 22-26 April 2015.

ELPA’s ‘C:My Journey’ is complemented with links to relevant information on treatment options and liver patient organisations

‘C: My Journey’ is a digital pathway for patients made up of 16 questions and nine supporting resources complemented with links to relevant information on treatment options and liver patient organisations. It is primarily aimed at newly-diagnosed patients but is relevant for anyone with hepatitis C.

The prevalence of hepatitis C in Europe varies between the individual countries from up to 0.1% in Belgium to 3.5 % in Romania while regions in some countries report rates over 9% including Italy and Turkey. However it is estimated that 90% of those infected with hepatitis C are not aware of their infection as the virus generally only causes serious symptoms in its final stages. If left untreated the virus can be fatal with 86,000 people dying from its consequences every year.

With a number of highly effective new treatments now available to patients, for the first time the possibility of cure is in sight for many people living with hepatitis C. This is why it is more important than ever to make sure that patients have access to the latest information and resources to help guide them on their treatment journey.

Mrs Reic added “Ultimately we hope that with ‘C: My Journey’ we will help people diagnosed with hepatitis C to be better informed and better able to participate in discussions with their doctor about how best to manage and treat their condition”.

‘C: My Journey’ was supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb through an unrestricted educational grant.

‘C: My Journey’ is now available via the ELPA website: www.elpa-info.org/cmyjourney.htm