Decompensated HCV patients with co morbidities including HIV who are medically treated are shown to minimize decompensation related admissions and healthcare cost: A case series

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus infection is a hot topic for both effective treatment and elevated cost. This case series describes the cost saving for the healthcare system of any nation of treating HCV in many situations, including that of overt cirrhosis. Case#1 is of a HCV/HIV infected cirrhotic patient with MELD score of 17, Child Pugh score B, recurrent esophageal bleeds ceased after successful treatment with sofosbuvir and simepravir. Case#2 is a patient also co-infected with HCV/HIV MELD score of 18, Child Pugh score B, with grade 3 esophageal varices and frequent bleed with significant anemia. With a regimen of sofosbuvir and ribavirin the patient had no more hospitalization for GI bleed. HCV infection is still underdiagnosed, picking up on it early, sufficient treatment and follow up may reduce healthcare costs in the long run by significant measures. Keywords: HCV treatment, cirrhosis, costs