{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,25]],"date-time":"2026-02-25T14:09:06Z","timestamp":1772028546718,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":89,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,31]],"date-time":"2026-01-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769817600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,25]],"date-time":"2026-02-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1771977600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":25,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Syst Rev"],"DOI":"10.1186\/s13643-026-03078-0","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,31]],"date-time":"2026-01-31T02:15:18Z","timestamp":1769825718000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C infection: a protocol for a systematic review of observational studies"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-0698-0775","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Buddheera W. M. B.","family":"Kumburegama","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Andreas T.","family":"Kristensen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Goran","family":"Bjelakovic","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Dimitrinka","family":"Nikolova","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mark A.","family":"Asante","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Milica","family":"Bjelakovic","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ronald L.","family":"Koretz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mithuna M.","family":"Balakumar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Martin E.","family":"Michelsen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Sarah L.","family":"Klingenberg","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Christian","family":"Gluud","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,31]]},"reference":[{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"939","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2009.08.004","volume":"51","author":"M Houghton","year":"2009","unstructured":"Houghton M. The long and winding road leading to the identification of the hepatitis C virus. J Hepatol. 2009;51(5):939\u201348.","journal-title":"J Hepatol"},{"issue":"4","key":"3078_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"376","DOI":"10.3390\/cells8040376","volume":"8","author":"DI Chigbu","year":"2019","unstructured":"Chigbu DI, Loonawat R, Sehgal M, Patel D, Jain P. Hepatitis c virus infection: host-virus interaction and mechanisms of viral persistence. Cells. 2019;8(4):376.","journal-title":"Cells"},{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1170","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2020.08.018","volume":"73","author":"European Association for the Study of the Liver","year":"2020","unstructured":"European Association for the Study of the Liver. EASL recommendations on treatment of hepatitis C: Final update of the series. J Hepatol. 2020;73(5):1170\u2013218.","journal-title":"J Hepatol"},{"issue":"10407","key":"3078_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1085","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(23)01320-X","volume":"402","author":"M Martinello","year":"2023","unstructured":"Martinello M, Solomon SS, Terrault NA, Dore GJ. Hepatitis C. Lancet. 2023;402(10407):1085\u201396.","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"3078_CR5","unstructured":"WHO. Hepatitis C Fact sheet. https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/hepatitis-c. Accessed on 8 Sep 2025."},{"issue":"2","key":"3078_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"476","DOI":"10.1002\/hep.30501","volume":"70","author":"C Coyle","year":"2019","unstructured":"Coyle C, Moorman AC, Bartholomew T, Klein G, Kwakwa H, Mehta SH, et al. The hepatitis C virus care continuum: linkage to hepatitis C virus care and treatment among patients at an urban health network, Philadelphia. PA Hepatology. 2019;70(2):476\u201386.","journal-title":"PA Hepatology"},{"issue":"2","key":"3078_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"516","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2023.03.017","volume":"79","author":"H Devarbhavi","year":"2023","unstructured":"Devarbhavi H, Asrani SK, Arab JP, Nartey YA, Pose E, Kamath PS. Global burden of liver disease:2023 update. J Hepatol. 2023;79(2):516\u201337.","journal-title":"J Hepatol"},{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"396","DOI":"10.1016\/S2468-1253(21)00472-6","volume":"7","author":"Polaris Observatory HCV Collaborators","year":"2022","unstructured":"Polaris Observatory HCV Collaborators. Global change in hepatitis C virus prevalence and cascade of care between 2015 and 2020: a modelling study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;7(5):396\u2013415.","journal-title":"Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol"},{"issue":"23","key":"3078_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2429","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa0707615","volume":"359","author":"AM Di Bisceglie","year":"2008","unstructured":"Di Bisceglie AM, Shiffman ML, Everson GT, Lindsay KL, Everhart JE, Wright EC, et al. Prolonged therapy of advanced chronic hepatitis C with low dose peginterferon. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(23):2429\u201341.","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"issue":"Suppl 1","key":"3078_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S3","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2014.06.031","volume":"61","author":"J Dubuisson","year":"2014","unstructured":"Dubuisson J, Cosset FL. Virology and cell biology of the hepatitis C virus life cycle: an update. J Hepatol. 2014;61(Suppl 1):S3\u201313.","journal-title":"J Hepatol"},{"issue":"7","key":"3078_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"837","DOI":"10.1038\/nm.3248","volume":"19","author":"TK Scheel","year":"2013","unstructured":"Scheel TK, Rice CM. Understanding the hepatitis C virus life cycle paves the way for highly effective therapies. Nat Med. 2013;19(7):837\u201349.","journal-title":"Nat Med"},{"issue":"11","key":"3078_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1722","DOI":"10.1093\/infdis\/jiy401","volume":"218","author":"SM Borgia","year":"2018","unstructured":"Borgia SM, Hedskog C, Parhy B, Hyland RH, Stamm LM, Brainard DM, et al. Identification of a novel hepatitis C virus genotype from Punjab, India: expanding classification of hepatitis C virus into 8 genotypes. J Infect Dis. 2018;218(11):1722\u20139.","journal-title":"J Infect Dis"},{"issue":"3","key":"3078_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"ofz076","DOI":"10.1093\/ofid\/ofz076","volume":"6","author":"C Hedskog","year":"2019","unstructured":"Hedskog C, Parhy B, Chang S, Zeuzem S, Moreno C, Shafran SD, et al. Identification of 19 novel hepatitis C virus subtypes\u2014further expanding HCV classification. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6(3):ofz076.","journal-title":"Open Forum Infect Dis"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1002\/hep.27259","volume":"61","author":"JP Messina","year":"2015","unstructured":"Messina JP, Humphreys I, Flaxman A, Brown A, Cooke GS, Pybus OG, et al. Global distribution and prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes. Hepatology. 2015;61(1):77\u201387.","journal-title":"Hepatology"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2014.07.027","volume":"61","author":"E Gower","year":"2014","unstructured":"Gower E, Estes C, Blach S, Razavi-Shearer K, Razavi H. Global epidemiology and genotype distribution of the hepatitis C virus infection. J Hepatol. 2014;61(1):45\u201357.","journal-title":"J Hepatol"},{"key":"3078_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ghany MG, Strader DB, Thomas DL, Seeff LB; American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatitis C: an update. Hepatology. 2009;49(4):1335\u201374.","DOI":"10.1002\/hep.22759"},{"issue":"10207","key":"3078_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1451","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(19)32320-7","volume":"394","author":"CW Spearman","year":"2019","unstructured":"Spearman CW, Dusheiko GM, Hellard M, Sonderup M. Hepatitis C. Lancet. 2019;394(10207):1451\u201366.","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"3078_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"g7809","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.g7809","volume":"350","author":"RL Koretz","year":"2015","unstructured":"Koretz RL, Lin KW, Ioannidis JP, Lenzer J. Is widespread screening for hepatitis C justified? BMJ. 2015;350:g7809.","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"issue":"15","key":"3078_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1979","DOI":"10.1097\/QAD.0b013e32830e6d51","volume":"22","author":"HH Thein","year":"2008","unstructured":"Thein HH, Yi Q, Dore GJ, Krahn MD. Natural history of hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected individuals and the impact of HIV in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: a meta-analysis. AIDS. 2008;22(15):1979\u201391.","journal-title":"AIDS"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jinf.2013.08.019","volume":"68","author":"V Conteduca","year":"2014","unstructured":"Conteduca V, Sansonno D, Russi S, Pavone F, Dammacco F. Therapy of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the era of direct-acting and host-targeting antiviral agents. J Infect. 2014;68(1):1\u201320.","journal-title":"J Infect"},{"key":"3078_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"w14093","DOI":"10.4414\/smw.2015.14093","volume":"145","author":"G Wandeler","year":"2015","unstructured":"Wandeler G, Dufour JF, Bruggmann P, Rauch A. Hepatitis C: a changing epidemic. Swiss Med Wkly. 2015;145:w14093.","journal-title":"Swiss Med Wkly"},{"issue":"4","key":"3078_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"863","DOI":"10.1016\/j.idc.2012.08.010","volume":"26","author":"CT Berger","year":"2012","unstructured":"Berger CT, Kim AY. IL28B polymorphisms as a pre-treatment predictor of response to HCV treatment. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2012;26(4):863\u201377.","journal-title":"Infect Dis Clin North Am"},{"key":"3078_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jakobsen JC, Nielsen EE, Feinberg J, Katakam KK, Fobian K, Hauser G, et al. Direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2017;6(6):CD012143. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;9.","DOI":"10.1002\/14651858.CD012143.pub3"},{"issue":"9","key":"3078_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2469","DOI":"10.1007\/s00705-021-05141-8","volume":"166","author":"HH Miri","year":"2021","unstructured":"Miri HH, Fazeli P, Ali-Hassanzadeh M, Bemani P, Kabelitz D, Kalantar K. Correlation between IL-28 polymorphism and spontaneous clearance in HCV patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Virol. 2021;166(9):2469\u201378.","journal-title":"Arch Virol"},{"key":"3078_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"European Association for the Study of the Liver. EASL recommendations on treatment of hepatitis C: Final update of the series. J Hepatol 2020;73(5):1170\u2013218. Erratum in: J Hepatol 2023;78(2):452.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2022.10.006"},{"key":"3078_CR26","unstructured":"Pockros PJ, Di Bisceglie AM, Bloom A. Direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. UpToDate. Waltham (MA): UpToDate; updated 2024 Jan 5. https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/direct-acting-antivirals-for-the-treatment-of-hepatitis-c-virus-infection. Accessed 8 Sep 2025."},{"key":"3078_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Brok J, Gluud LL, Gluud C. Ribavirin plus interferon versus interferon for chronic hepatitis C. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;1:CD005445.","DOI":"10.1002\/14651858.CD005445.pub2"},{"key":"3078_CR28","first-page":"CD005642","volume":"2","author":"G Hauser","year":"2014","unstructured":"Hauser G, Awad T, Thorlund K, \u0160timac D, Mabrouk M, Gluud C. Peginterferon alpha-2a versus peginterferon alpha-2b for chronic hepatitis C. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2014;2:CD005642.","journal-title":"Cochrane Database of Syst Rev."},{"key":"3078_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koretz RL, Pleguezuelo M, Arvaniti V, Barrera BP, Ciria R, Gurusamy KS, et al. Interferon for interferon nonresponding and relapsing patients with chronic hepatitis C. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2013;2013(1):CD003617.","DOI":"10.1002\/14651858.CD003617.pub2"},{"issue":"38","key":"3078_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10760","DOI":"10.3748\/wjg.v21.i38.10760","volume":"21","author":"E Righi","year":"2015","unstructured":"Righi E, Londero A, Carnelutti A, Baccarani U, Bassetti M. Impact of new treatment options for hepatitis C virus infection in liver transplantation. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(38):10760\u201375.","journal-title":"World J Gastroenterol"},{"key":"3078_CR31","first-page":"63","volume":"33","author":"K Hesamizadeh","year":"2019","unstructured":"Hesamizadeh K, Tavakoli A, Nikbin M. Peg-interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy in HCV mono-infected and HCV\/HIV co-infected patients in Iran. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2019;33:63.","journal-title":"Med J Islam Repub Iran"},{"issue":"7","key":"3078_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"449","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2893.2012.01617.x","volume":"19","author":"F Poordad","year":"2012","unstructured":"Poordad F, Dieterich D. Treating hepatitis c: current standard of care and emerging direct-acting antiviral agents. J Viral Hepat. 2012;19(7):449\u201364.","journal-title":"J Viral Hepat"},{"key":"3078_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2334-13-190","volume":"13","author":"SA Ferrante","year":"2013","unstructured":"Ferrante SA, Chhatwal J, Brass CA, El Khoury AC, Poordad F, Bronowicki JP, et al. Boceprevir for previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection: a US-based cost-effectiveness modelling study. BMC Infect Dis. 2013;13:190.","journal-title":"BMC Infect Dis"},{"issue":"12","key":"3078_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1105","DOI":"10.1586\/eri.11.133","volume":"9","author":"AJ Muir","year":"2011","unstructured":"Muir AJ. Telaprevir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis c infection. Expert Rev Anti-infect Ther. 2011;9(12):1105\u201314.","journal-title":"Expert Rev Anti-infect Ther"},{"issue":"25","key":"3078_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2405","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1012912","volume":"364","author":"IM Jacobson","year":"2011","unstructured":"Jacobson IM, McHutchison JG, Dusheiko G, Di Bisceglie AM, Reddy KR, Bzowej NH, et al. Telaprevir for previously untreated chronic hepatitis C virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(25):2405\u201316.","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"issue":"9","key":"3078_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5155","DOI":"10.3390\/v7092864","volume":"7","author":"B Roche","year":"2015","unstructured":"Roche B, Coilly A, Roque-Afonso AM, Samuel D. Interferon-free hepatitis C treatment before and after liver transplantation: the role of HCV drug resistance. Viruses. 2015;7(9):5155\u201368.","journal-title":"Viruses"},{"issue":"17","key":"3078_CR37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2100","DOI":"10.4254\/wjh.v7.i17.2100","volume":"7","author":"F Ermis","year":"2015","unstructured":"Ermis F, Tasci ES. New treatment strategies for hepatitis C infection. World J Hepatol. 2015;7(17):2100\u20139.","journal-title":"World J Hepatol"},{"key":"3078_CR38","unstructured":"U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/. Accessed 08 Sep 2025."},{"key":"3078_CR39","unstructured":"Bhattacharya D, Aronsohn A, Price J, Lo Re V. AASLD-IDSA HCV Guidance Panel. Hepatitis C Guidance 2023 Update: AASLD-IDSA recommendations for testing, managing, and treating Hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;76:ciad319."},{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"415","DOI":"10.1136\/flgastro-2022-102373","volume":"14","author":"R O'Kane","year":"2023","unstructured":"O\u2019Kane R, Hathorn E. Hepatitis C: recent advances and practical management. Frontline Gastroenterol. 2023;14(5):415\u201321.","journal-title":"Frontline Gastroenterol"},{"key":"3078_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Poordad F, McCone J Jr, Bacon BR, Bruno S, Manns MP, Sulkowski MS, et al. SPRINT-2 Investigators. Boceprevir for untreated chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(13):1195\u2013206.","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1010494"},{"issue":"4","key":"3078_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"ofz100","DOI":"10.1093\/ofid\/ofz100","volume":"6","author":"HN Kim","year":"2019","unstructured":"Kim HN, Nance RM, Williams-Nguyen JS, Chris Delaney JA, Crane HM, Cachay ER, et al. Effectiveness of direct-acting antiviral therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus coinfection in routine clinical care: a multicenter study. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019;6(4):ofz100.","journal-title":"Open Forum Infect Dis"},{"issue":"20","key":"3078_CR43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1889","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1402454","volume":"370","author":"N Afdhal","year":"2014","unstructured":"Afdhal N, Zeuzem S, Kwo P, Chojkier M, Gitlin N, Puoti M, et al. Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir for untreated HCV genotype 1 infection. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(20):1889\u201398.","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"issue":"13","key":"3078_CR44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1207","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1009482","volume":"364","author":"BR Bacon","year":"2011","unstructured":"Bacon BR, Gordon SC, Lawitz E, Marcellin P, Vierling JM, Zeuzem S, et al. Boceprevir for previously treated chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(13):1207\u201317.","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"issue":"20","key":"3078_CR45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1878","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1214853","volume":"368","author":"E Lawitz","year":"2013","unstructured":"Lawitz E, Mangia A, Wyles D, Rodriguez-Torres M, Hassanein T, Gordon SC, et al. Sofosbuvir for previously untreated chronic hepatitis C infection. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(20):1878\u201387.","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"key":"3078_CR46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McHutchison JG, Manns MP, Muir AJ, Terrault NA, Jacobson IM, PROVE3 Study Team. Telaprevir for previously treated chronic HCV infection. N Engl J Med. 2010;362(14):1292\u2013303.","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa0908014"},{"issue":"8","key":"3078_CR47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"714","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1503153","volume":"373","author":"DL Wyles","year":"2015","unstructured":"Wyles DL, Ruane PJ, Sulkowski MS, Dieterich D, Luetkemeyer A, Morgan TR, et al. Daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir for HCV in patients coinfected with HIV-1. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(8):714\u201325.","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"issue":"4","key":"3078_CR48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"734","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2007.01.003","volume":"46","author":"C Gluud","year":"2007","unstructured":"Gluud C, Brok J, Gong Y, Koretz RL. Hepatology may have problems with putative surrogate outcome measures. J Hepatol. 2007;46(4):734\u201342.","journal-title":"J Hepatol"},{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1212","DOI":"10.1002\/cpt.2083","volume":"109","author":"HG Eichler","year":"2021","unstructured":"Eichler HG, Pignatti F, Schwarzer-Daum B, Hidalgo-Simon A, Eichler I, Arlett P, et al. Randomized controlled trials versus real world evidence: neither magic nor myth. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2021;109(5):1212\u20138.","journal-title":"Clin Pharmacol Ther"},{"issue":"7","key":"3078_CR50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1541","DOI":"10.3390\/v14071541","volume":"14","author":"M Cornberg","year":"2022","unstructured":"Cornberg M, Stoehr A, Naumann U, Teuber G, Klinker H, Lutz T, et al. Real-world safety, effectiveness, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated with glecaprevir\/pibrentasvir: updated data from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R). Viruses. 2022;14(7):1541.","journal-title":"Viruses"},{"issue":"15","key":"3078_CR51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3694","DOI":"10.3390\/cancers13153694","volume":"13","author":"R Flisiak","year":"2021","unstructured":"Flisiak R, Zar\u0119bska-Michaluk D, Janczewska E, \u0141api\u0144ski T, Rogalska M, Karpi\u0144ska E, et al. Five-year follow-up of cured HCV patients under real-world interferon-free therapy. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(15):3694.","journal-title":"Cancers (Basel)"},{"issue":"2","key":"3078_CR52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1001\/jamainternmed.2022.5699","volume":"183","author":"E Ogawa","year":"2023","unstructured":"Ogawa E, Chien N, Kam L, et al. Association of direct-acting antiviral therapy with liver and nonliver complications and long-term mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C. JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(2):97\u2013105.","journal-title":"JAMA Intern Med"},{"issue":"40","key":"3078_CR53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6094","DOI":"10.3748\/wjg.v25.i40.6094","volume":"25","author":"G Colussi","year":"2019","unstructured":"Colussi G, Donnini D, Brizzi RF, Maier S, Valenti L, Catena C, et al. Sustained virologic response to direct-acting antiviral agents predicts better outcomes in hepatitis C virus-infected patients: a retrospective study. World J Gastroenterol. 2019;25(40):6094\u2013106.","journal-title":"World J Gastroenterol"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"142","DOI":"10.1053\/j.gastro.2016.09.009","volume":"152","author":"P Nahon","year":"2017","unstructured":"Nahon P, Bourcier V, Layese R, Audureau E, Cagnot C, Marcellin P, et al. Eradication of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with cirrhosis reduces risk of liver and non-liver complications. Gastroenterology. 2017;152(1):142-56.e2.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"49","DOI":"10.1093\/biostatistics\/1.1.49","volume":"1","author":"M Buyse","year":"2000","unstructured":"Buyse M, Molenberghs G, Burzykowski T, Renard D, Geys H. The validation of surrogate endpoints in meta-analyses of randomized experiments. Biostatistics. 2000;1(1):49\u201367.","journal-title":"Biostatistics"},{"issue":"20","key":"3078_CR56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3023","DOI":"10.1002\/sim.923","volume":"20","author":"G Molenberghs","year":"2001","unstructured":"Molenberghs G, Geys H, Buyse M. Evaluation of surrogate endpoints in randomized experiments with mixed discrete and continuous outcomes. Stat Med. 2001;20(20):3023\u201338.","journal-title":"Stat Med"},{"issue":"29","key":"3078_CR57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9633","DOI":"10.3748\/wjg.v20.i29.9633","volume":"20","author":"F Ansaldi","year":"2014","unstructured":"Ansaldi F, Orsi A, Sticchi L, Bruzzone B, Icardi G. Hepatitis c virus in the new era: perspectives in epidemiology, prevention, diagnostics and predictors of response to therapy. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(29):9633\u201352.","journal-title":"World J Gastroenterol"},{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"287","DOI":"10.1177\/1756283X09339079","volume":"2","author":"U Navaneethan","year":"2009","unstructured":"Navaneethan U, Kemmer N, Neff GW. Predicting the probable outcome of treatment in HCV patients. Ther Adv Gastroenterol. 2009;2(5):287\u2013302.","journal-title":"Ther Adv Gastroenterol"},{"key":"3078_CR59","unstructured":"Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, et al (editors).\u00a0Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions\u00a0version 6.4\u00a0(updated August 2023). Cochrane, 2023. Available from https:\/\/www.training.cochrane.org\/handbook. Accessed 08 Sep 2025."},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"120","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2288-14-120","volume":"14","author":"JC Jakobsen","year":"2014","unstructured":"Jakobsen JC, Wetterslev J, Winkel P, Lange T, Gluud C. Thresholds for statistical and clinical significance in systematic reviews with meta-analytic methods. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2014;14(1):120.","journal-title":"BMC Med Res Methodol"},{"key":"3078_CR61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1605454","DOI":"10.3389\/phrs.2023.1605454","volume":"44","author":"M Glisic","year":"2023","unstructured":"Glisic M, Raguindin PF, Gemperli A, Taneri PE, Salvador DJ, Voortman T, et al. A 7-step guideline for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis of observational studies in health sciences. Public Health Rev. 2023;44:1605454.","journal-title":"Public Health Rev"},{"key":"3078_CR62","unstructured":"Reeves BC, Deeks JJ, Higgins JPT, Shea B, Tugwell P, Wells GA: Chapter 24: Including non-randomized studies on intervention effects [updated October 2019]. In Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 6.5. Edited by Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA. Cochrane; 2024. https:\/\/www.training.cochrane.org\/handbook. Accessed 08 Sep 2025."},{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR63","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1075","DOI":"10.1002\/hep.21404","volume":"44","author":"HT S\u00f8rensen","year":"2006","unstructured":"S\u00f8rensen HT, Lash TL, Rothman KJ. Beyond randomized controlled trials: a critical comparison of trials with nonrandomized studies. Hepatology. 2006;44(5):1075\u201382.","journal-title":"Hepatology"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhep.2020.08.008","volume":"74","author":"M Chalouni","year":"2021","unstructured":"Chalouni M, Pol S, Sogni P, Fontaine H, Lacombe K, Marc-Lacombe J, et al. Increased mortality in HIV\/HCV-coinfected compared to HCV-monoinfected patients in the DAA era due to non-liver-related death. J Hepatol. 2021;74(1):37\u201347.","journal-title":"J Hepatol"},{"key":"3078_CR65","unstructured":"International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH): ICH Harmonised Guideline. Integrated Addendum to ICH E6(R1): Guideline for Good Clinical Practice E6(R2). Published 9 November 2016. https:\/\/database.ich.org\/sites\/default\/files\/E6_R2_Addendum.pdf. Accessed 9 Sep 2025."},{"key":"3078_CR66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1186\/s43066-021-00102-x","volume":"11","author":"NAF Ahmed","year":"2021","unstructured":"Ahmed NAF, Ali ASH, El Baz RA. IL-28B single nucleotide polymorphism as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with direct acting antivirals. Egypt Liver J. 2021;11:31.","journal-title":"Egypt Liver J"},{"key":"3078_CR67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Eid MA, Youssef AE-SA, Saudy NSE-D, El-Badry AS. Impact of IL28B (rs8099917) gene polymorphism on treatment response to Sovaldi, Daklinza, and Ribavirin in Egyptian patients with HCV infection. Egypt J Basic Appl Sci. 2023;10(1):722\u201332.","DOI":"10.1080\/2314808X.2023.2254508"},{"key":"3078_CR68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"i4919","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.i4919","volume":"355","author":"JA Sterne","year":"2016","unstructured":"Sterne JA, Hern\u00e1n MA, Reeves BC, Savovi\u0107 J, Berkman ND, Viswanathan M, et al. ROBINS-I: a tool for assessing risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions. BMJ. 2016;355:i4919.","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"3078_CR69","unstructured":"Deeks JJ, Higgins JPT, Altman DG, McKenzie JE, Veroniki AA, editors. Chapter 10: Analysing data and undertaking meta-analyses. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA, editors. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 6.5. Cochrane; 2024 Nov. https:\/\/www.cochrane.org\/handbook. Accessed 18 Sep 2025."},{"key":"3078_CR70","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2021.01.023","volume":"135","author":"M Barbateskovic","year":"2021","unstructured":"Barbateskovic M, Koster TM, Eck RJ, Maagaard M, Afshari A, Blokzijl F, et al. A new tool to assess clinical diversity in meta-analyses (CDIM) of interventions. J Clin Epidemiol. 2021;135:29\u201341.","journal-title":"J Clin Epidemiol"},{"issue":"2","key":"3078_CR71","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1002742","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pmed.1002742","volume":"16","author":"OM Dekkers","year":"2019","unstructured":"Dekkers OM, Vandenbroucke JP, Cevallos M, Renehan AG, Altman DG, Egger M. COSMOS-E: guidance on conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies of etiology. PLoS Med. 2019;16(2):e1002742.","journal-title":"PLoS Med"},{"issue":"7","key":"3078_CR72","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"646","DOI":"10.1177\/1474515120944014","volume":"19","author":"T Ruppar","year":"2020","unstructured":"Ruppar T. Meta-analysis: how to quantify and explain heterogeneity? Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2020;19(7):646\u201352.","journal-title":"Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs"},{"key":"3078_CR73","unstructured":"Deeks JJ, Higgins JPT, Altman DG, McKenzie JE, Veroniki AA. Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Analysing data and undertaking meta-analyses [updated November 2024]. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 6.5. Cochrane, 2024. https:\/\/www.cochrane.org\/handbook. Accessed 09 Sep 2025."},{"key":"3078_CR74","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"557","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.327.7414.557","volume":"327","author":"JPT Higgins","year":"2003","unstructured":"Higgins JPT, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG. Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. BMJ. 2003;327:557\u201360.","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"3078_CR75","unstructured":"Page MJ, Higgins JPT, Sterne JAC: Chapter 13: Assessing risk of bias due to missing evidence in a meta-analysis [last updated August 2024]. In Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA Editors. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 6.5. Cochrane; 2024. Available from: https:\/\/www.cochrane.org\/handbook. Accessed 9 Sep 2025."},{"issue":"5","key":"3078_CR76","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"746","DOI":"10.1002\/sim.2971","volume":"27","author":"G R\u00fccker","year":"2008","unstructured":"R\u00fccker G, Schwarzer G, Carpenter J. Arcsine test for publication bias in meta-analyses with binary outcomes. Stat Med. 2008;27(5):746\u201363.","journal-title":"Stat Med"},{"issue":"7109","key":"3078_CR77","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"629","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.315.7109.629","volume":"315","author":"M Egger","year":"1997","unstructured":"Egger M, Davey Smith G, Schneider M, Minder C. Bias in meta- analysis detected by a simple graphical test. BMJ. 1997;315(7109):629\u201334.","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"issue":"2","key":"3078_CR78","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"83","DOI":"10.1136\/ebmental-2019-300129","volume":"23","author":"S Metelli","year":"2020","unstructured":"Metelli S, Chaimani A. Challenges in meta-analyses with observational studies. Evid Based Ment Health. 2020;23(2):83\u20137.","journal-title":"Evid Based Ment Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR79","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1186\/s12874-018-0495-9","volume":"18","author":"M Mueller","year":"2018","unstructured":"Mueller M, D\u2019Addario M, Egger M, Cevallos M, Dekkers O, Mugglin C, et al. Methods to systematically review and meta-analyse observational studies: a systematic scoping review of recommendations. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2018;18(1):44.","journal-title":"BMC Med Res Methodol"},{"issue":"9","key":"3078_CR80","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1351","DOI":"10.1002\/sim.1761","volume":"23","author":"MJ Sweeting","year":"2004","unstructured":"Sweeting MJ, Sutton AJ, Lambert PC. What to add to nothing? Use and avoidance of continuity corrections in meta-analysis of sparse data. Stat Med. 2004;23(9):1351\u201375.","journal-title":"Stat Med"},{"key":"3078_CR81","unstructured":"Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) [Computer program]. Version 0.9.5.10 Beta. Copenhagen: Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Copenhagen University Hospital \u2013 Rigshospitalet; 2021. Available from: https:\/\/ctu.dk\/tsa\/downloads\/. Accessed 9 Sep 2025."},{"key":"3078_CR82","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"86","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2288-9-86","volume":"9","author":"J Wetterslev","year":"2009","unstructured":"Wetterslev J, Thorlund K, Brok J, Gluud C. Estimating required information size by quantifying diversity in random-effects model meta-analyses. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2009;9:86.","journal-title":"BMC Med Res Methodol"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR83","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"64","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2007.03.013","volume":"61","author":"J Wetterslev","year":"2008","unstructured":"Wetterslev J, Thorlund K, Brok J, Gluud C. Trial sequential analysis may establish when firm evidence is reached in cumulative meta-analysis. J Clin Epidemiol. 2008;61(1):64\u201375.","journal-title":"J Clin Epidemiol"},{"issue":"1","key":"3078_CR84","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13203","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-40389-x","volume":"13","author":"T Kitano","year":"2023","unstructured":"Kitano T, Nabeshima Y, Kataoka M, Takeuchi M. Trial sequential analysis of efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists against left ventricular thrombus. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):13203.","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"3078_CR85","unstructured":"Sch\u00fcnemann HJ, Higgins JPT, Vist GE, Glasziou P, Akl EA, Skoetz N, Guyatt GH: Chapter 14: Completing \u2018Summary of findings\u2019 tables and grading the certainty of the evidence [updated August 2023]. In Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 6.5. Cochrane; 2024.https:\/\/www.cochrane.org\/handbook. Accessed 9 Sep 2025."},{"key":"3078_CR86","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Vist GE, Kunz R, Falck-Ytter Y, Alonso-Coello P, et al; GRADE Working Group. GRADE: an emerging consensus on rating quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. BMJ. 2008;336(7650):924\u20136.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.39489.470347.AD"},{"key":"3078_CR87","unstructured":"Sch\u00fcnemann H, Bro\u017cek J, Guyatt G, Oxman A, editors. GRADE handbook for grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Updated October 2013. The GRADE Working Group, 2013. https:\/\/www.guidelinedevelopment.org\/handbook. Accessed 20 Jan 2024."},{"key":"3078_CR88","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71","volume":"372","author":"MJ Page","year":"2021","unstructured":"Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71.","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"issue":"14","key":"3078_CR89","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e68113","DOI":"10.2196\/68113","volume":"9","author":"KS Gurusamy","year":"2025","unstructured":"Gurusamy KS, Gluud C. Sustained virological response as a surrogate marker for mortality, decompensated cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma in people with chronic hepatitis C virus infection treated with direct-acting antivirals: protocol for a Bayesian and causal mediation analysis. JMIR Res Protoc. 2025;9(14):e68113.","journal-title":"JMIR Res Protoc"}],"container-title":["Systematic Reviews"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s13643-026-03078-0","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s13643-026-03078-0.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s13643-026-03078-0.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,25]],"date-time":"2026-02-25T13:07:26Z","timestamp":1772024846000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1186\/s13643-026-03078-0"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,31]]},"references-count":89,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["3078"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13643-026-03078-0","relation":{},"ISSN":["2046-4053"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2046-4053","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,31]]},"assertion":[{"value":"24 June 2024","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"14 January 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"31 January 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare that they have no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"71"}}