60. Fatigue improves after successful antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients

Abstract

Background and Aims: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in chronic liver disease patients with reported incidence rates between 60 and 80%. This study was aimed to assess the effect of Directly Acting Antivirals (DAA) on symptomatic fatigue in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Chronic hepatitis C patients who presented with fatigue (n = 100) were included in the study. Fatigue Assessment scale (FAS) was used to evaluate symptomatic fatigue before and after 12 weeks of DAA therapy. Results: Mean age of the patients was 48 + 8.02 yrs. Study population included 66 males and 34 females. Of the study population 21 patients had child A cirrhosis, 56 patients had child B cirrhosis and 33 patients had child C cirrhosis. 76% patients reported mild fatigue (FAS score 22–34) and 24% patients reported severe fatigue (FAS > 35). Severe fatigue was more common in Child C cirrhotics than in Child B or child A cirrhotics. (66.67% vs. 27.5% vs. 12.52%) Severe fatigue was more frequent in females compared to males (44.11vs 22.72%; p < 0.05). Post DAA therapy significant score improvements were noted in both mild fatigue group (28.34 + 3.19 vs. 21.22 + 5.16; p < 0.5) and severe fatigue group (41.82 + 4.34 vs. 32.82 + 6.51; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Severe fatigue is more common in child C cirrhotics and females. Significant improvements in FAS scales were noted after antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C. The authors have none to declare.