Liver Research (Jun 2020)

Efficacy and safety of direct-acting antiviral agent regimens in a real-world cohort of adult Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

  • Jinyuan Wei,
  • Yongyu Mei,
  • Jianping Li,
  • Jing Yuan,
  • Xiaohua Yang,
  • Zhen Xu,
  • Guoli Lin,
  • Juan Zhang,
  • Zhixin Zhao,
  • Xiaohong Zhang

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 2
pp. 101 – 107

Abstract

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Background and aims: To investigate the safety and efficacy of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens in a cohort of Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: A total of 222 adult Chinese patients were enrolled and treated via DAA regimens in accordance with HCV management guidelines. Treatment responses were evaluated 4 weeks after treatment, at the end of treatment (EOT) and 12 weeks post-treatment. Virological responses, biochemical responses, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and Child-Pugh (CP) scores were recorded. Results: A total of 218 patients (98.2%) achieved sustained virological response 12 weeks post-treatment and 4 patients relapsed. The combined number of rapid virological responses for all six regimens was 170/222 (76.6%), and 221/222 (99.6%) had achieved virological responses by the end of treatment. In decompensated cirrhosis patients the baseline mean CP score was 6.8 ± 1.3 and the mean MELD score was 10.1 ± 3.3. Compared with the mean CP score at baseline, the mean score is significantly lower at the end of treatment (5.7 ± 1.3) and 12 weeks post-treatment (5.6 ± 1.0). Estimated glomerular filtration rates did not differ significantly from baseline during the treatment or 12 weeks post-treatment. The incidence of adverse events in patients with chronic hepatitis C and compensated cirrhosis was 42/172 (24.4%), and in patients with decompensated cirrhosis it was 8/22 (36.4%). The most frequently reported adverse events were elevated indirect bilirubin, fatigue and rash. There were no cases of serious adverse events, death or treatment discontinuation because of adverse events. Conclusion: DAA regimens were highly effective and well tolerated irrespective of HCV genotype, cirrhosis, liver or kidney transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma, HCV/hepatitis B virus co-infection, or renal failure.

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