Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Oct 2024)

Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis After Eradication of Chronic Hepatitis C with Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAAs)

  • Salama M,
  • Darwesh N,
  • Elsabaawy MM,
  • Abdelsameea E,
  • Gomaa A,
  • Sabry A

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 11
pp. 2115 – 2132

Abstract

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Mohsen Salama,* Nehad Darwesh,* Maha Mohammad Elsabaawy,* Eman Abdelsameea,* Asmaa Gomaa,* Aliaa Sabry* Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Asmaa Gomaa, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt, Tel +20-1006157160, Email [email protected]: This research was designed to determine the long-term outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after direct-acting anti-viral drugs (DAAs) based regimens.Patients and Methods: This study involved 193 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis who had previously completed DAAs regimens and accomplished SVR. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological features at the first and 3rd-year follow-up after the end of treatment were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) and incidence of liver decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were determined at the 5-year follow-up.Results: About 68.4% of our patients with HCV-related cirrhosis were males and their mean age was 54.8 ± 7.7 years. Follow-up at the first and the 3rd-year showed significant improvements in albumin (P = 0.001), liver enzymes (P = 0.001), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (P < 0.001), platelet count (P = 0.001), the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (P = 0.001 and 0.01), FIB4 and Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores (p < 0.001). The liver stiffness (LS) also significantly improved (p = 0.001). At the 5th year, the mean OS was 58.3 months, with 14.5% and 17.6% of patients developing de-novo HCC and decompensation, respectively. The mean OS at the 5th-year follow-up was shorter in patients who developed HCC and those with liver decompensation (p = 0.001). Alfa-fetoprotein and LS are predictive factors for HCC development.Conclusion: Despite achieving SVR, continuous surveillance for HCC and new-onset decompensation is mandatory in patients with liver cirrhosis.Keywords: long-term outcomes, cirrhotic patients, sustained virological response, DAAs

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