Correlation between platelet count and outcome of chronic HCV patients treated with direct-acting antivirals

Abstract

Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thedirect acting anti-virus (DAAs) are available, with a reported 95% sustained virological responseafter treatment for 12 weeks (12w-SVR).Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the correlation between platelet count and theDAAs therapy outcome in chronic HCV (CHC) patients.Patients and methods: three hundred CHC patients, Child–Pugh grade A, both naive andtreatment experienced patients were enrolled in this study, from outpatient Clinic, Department ofGastroenterology, Hepatology and Tropical medicine, Qena university hospital, Qena, Egypt,treated with DAAs for 12 weeks, either dual or triple therapy, according to criteria recommendedby the national committee for chronic viral hepatitis (NCCVH). Patients categorized into threegroups: (1) Group I (non-thrombocytopenic group): included 100 CHC patients with platelet count≥ 150 (109/L); (2) Group II (mild thrombocytopenic group): included 100 CHC patients withplatelet count 100-149 (109/L); (3) Group III (moderate thrombocytopenia): included 100 CHCpatients with platelet count 50–99 (109/L).Results: The Overall CHC patient's mean age were (48.2 ± 11), 226 (75.33%) were males and 74(24.67%) were females. 97.6% (293/300)of CHC patients attainedSVR; 97 % in (Group I), and 98% in both (Group II), and (Group III), after 12 weeks DAAs therapy with no significant differencebetween groups.Conclusion: both DAAs treatment modalities were efficient in the eradication of HCV; however,thrombocytopenia in CHC patients does not affect the DAAs therapy outcome.