Improvement of patient-reported outcomes in patients achieving sustained virologic response with direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C virus infection.

Abstract

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (CHC) after successful direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy remains elusive. The study aimed to investigate the impact of DAA therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We also assess the associated factors predictive of HRQoL change after sustained virologic response (SVR) to HCV therapy. CHC patients receiving DAA therapy were prospectively recruited. They completed paired HRQoL assessments which included Short-Form-36 (SF-36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire score, and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) score before treatment and at Week 12 off-treatment. Clinical data and characteristics were compared in a paired manner. A total of 158 patients achieved SVR (SVR rate: 96.6%) were enrolled into the final analysis. Improvement of depression, anxiety, digestive symptoms, and SF-36 items of vitality, body pain, physical functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, and mental health were demonstrated among SVR patients. Sleep quality, or other SF-36 items were not significantly changed after the treatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that improvement of sleep quality, depression, and anxiety were associated with better HRQoL. SVR to HCV therapy by DAA significantly improved PROs including HRQoL.