Annals of Hepatology (Mar 2023)
P- 101 TREATMENT OF PATIENTS INFECTED WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN TWO REFERENCE CENTERS IN PARAGUAY.
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: Treatment with Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAA) has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C, with a high success rate. There is very poor information on the outcome of treatment in these patients in Paraguay. Gathering information in this regard would help develop health-related public policies related to the management of this infection in the country. The aim is to determine the proportion of patients with Hepatitis C who received treatment, of what type, and the percentage of patients with a sustained virologic response (SVR). Materials and Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective design. Patients from the Gastroenterology Department of the Clinicas Hospital were included from April 2011 to September 2021 and patients from a private referral center from April 2000 to September 2021. Results: 8,504 medical records from the Clinicas Hospital and 8,137 from the private center were analyzed. Fifty-three patients diagnosed with HCV infection were identified. 55% (29) received an IFN-based regimen, 32% (17) received DAA-based treatments, and 19% (10) did not have access to treatment. Among the patients in the first group, 20 received PEG-INF + Rivabirin, with SVR in 65% of the cases, and 6 received non-pegylated IFN + Rivabirin, achieving SVR at 33%. In the DAA group, we found that 100% of patients achieved SVR. 41% of them received Sofosbuvir + Ledipasvir, 24% Sofosbuvir + Daclatasvir and 18% Sofosbuvir + Velpatasvir. Conclusions: This study showed 46 patients treated in our country. All those treated with DAAs (17) achieved SVR. Due to their great effectiveness, we must direct public health efforts to ensure that patients can have free access to DAAs.