Table 2 List of factors potentially affecting HCV treatment decisions*

1

Possible future health problems you expect from not treating Hepatitis C

2

Expected effectiveness of treatment (in terms of the treatment’s typical impact or lack of impact on virus levels)

3

Expected overall side effects of treatment

4

Expected depression side effects in particular

5

Expected flu-like side effects in particular

6

Expected fatigue side effects in particular

7

Amount of time needed to finish the entire treatment

8

The need to inject one of the treatment medications with a needle

9

Having to remember to take several medications according to a schedule from the doctor

10

Possible Hepatitis C treatment alternatives not discussed by your doctor

11

Need for a liver biopsy^a

12

How Hepatitis C, the disease, has affected (or not affected) other people’s lives

13

How Hepatitis C treatment has affected other people’s lives

14

The stage of your Hepatitis C (for example, your liver status)

15

Whether or not you had Hepatitis C symptoms

16

Other health issues in addition to Hepatitis C, [for women] including pregnancy or possible pregnancy

17

Any substance abuse issues (alcohol or recreational street drugs)

18

The need for more information about Hepatitis C treatments

19

The extent of your will power when you decide to do something (such as starting a treatment)^a/ The extent of your will power when you decide to do something (such as finishing a treatment)^b

20

The effect of the condition of Hepatitis C on your ability to reach life goals

21

The effect of the condition of Hepatitis C on the lives of others, such as your family members

22

The effect treatment might have on your ability to meet work responsibilities^a / The effect of the treatment on your ability to meet your work responsibilities^b

23

The effect treatment might have on your ability to meet family responsibilities^a / The effect of the treatment on your ability to meet your family responsibilities^b

24

Your ability to pay for treatment

25

The effect treatment might have on your ability to earn money^a/ The effect of treatment on your ability to earn money^b

26

The stability of your housing situation

27

The emotional support you could expect from friends, family, support groups, and/or religion if you were to start treatment^a/ Emotional support from your friends, family, support groups, and/or religion^b

28

Your doctor’s advice

29

Your relationship with doctors and nurses in terms of the encouragement and knowledge they typically provide

30

Organizational help from doctors and nurses in things like managing appointments and helping with medications

31

How easy or hard it is to see doctors or nurses (for example traveling to the doctor’s office and making appointments)

32

Potential for being treated differently or judged if you were to start treatment^a/ Being treated differently or judged because of the treatment^b

33

Your ability to get information during treatment about your virus levels and how likely the treatment will work for you^a/ Information during treatment about your virus levels and how likely the treatment will work for you^b