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Appendix Figure. Key questions (KQs). KQ 1 = Does screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection reduce the risk or rates of harm and premature death and disability? KQ 2 = Can clinical or demographic characteristics identify a subgroup of asymptomatic patients at higher risk for HCV infection? KQ 3 = What are the test characteristics of HCV antibody testing? KQ 4 = What is the predictive value of a positive screening test result and what are the harms associated with screening for HCV infection? KQ 5a = What are the test characteristics of the work-up for active disease? KQ 5b = In patients found to be positive for HCV antibody, what proportion of patients would qualify for treatment? KQ 6 = What are the harms associated with the work-up for active HCV disease? KQ 7a = How well does antiviral treatment reduce the rate of viremia, improve aminotransferase levels, and improve histology? KQ 7b = How well does antiviral treatment improve health outcomes in asymptomatic patients with HCV infection? KQ 7c = How well do counseling and immunizations in asymptomatic patients with HCV infection improve clinical outcomes or prevent spread of disease? KQ 8 = What are the harms (including intolerance to treatment) associated with antiviral intervention? KQ 9 = Have improvements in intermediate outcomes (liver function tests, remission, histologic changes) been shown to reduce the risk or rate of harm from HCV infection? *Excluding pregnant women, HIV-positive persons, transplant recipients, and patients with renal failure.
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