Abstract
BackgroundPatients with chronic hemolytic anemias (CHA) are at a high risk for transfusion-transmitted infections. Various studies in Egypt have shown a prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 24–37% of those patients. Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with CHA would prevent early progression of liver disease. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sofosbuvir (SOF) and daclatasvir (DAC) in the special population of HCV-infected patients with CHA. In this prospective study, 21 consenting hepatitis C patients were recruited and treated using ribavirin-free SOF/DAC regimen for either 12 or 24 weeks according to categorization of patients into easy or hard-to-treat in accordance with the national protocols. Sustained virological response was assessed by RT-PCR for HCV-RNA at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). Any treatment-related adverse events were noted.ResultsAll patients were adherent to treatment with no discontinuation of therapy. SVR12 was achieved in 19 out of 21 patients (90.5%). There was a significant improvement in levels of ALT (p<0.009) after completion of therapy. On the other hand, the hemoglobin, total bilirubin, and ferritin levels showed a non-significant difference (p<0.501, p<0.542, and p<0.339, respectively). Moderate adverse events were observed in 2 out of 21 patients (9.5%), including sickling crisis and hepatic decompensation.ConclusionThe results of this study substantiate the favorable efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ribavirin-free direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the special population of HCV-infected patients with CHA. Micro-elimination of HCV in special patient populations allows for pragmatic delivery of care to patients with co-morbid conditions who are in most need for treatment and allows for achievement of global elimination of HCV worldwide.
Highlights
Patients with chronic hemolytic anemias (CHA) are at a high risk for transfusion-transmitted infections
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 71 million people in the world are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), with the prevalence of this infection varying throughout the world [4]
This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SOF/DAC regimen in patients with CHA and HCV infection. This was a prospective study of patients diagnosed with chronic HCV infection who presented to our institution to receive therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) between January 2018 and January 2020
Summary
Patients with chronic hemolytic anemias (CHA) are at a high risk for transfusion-transmitted infections. Various studies in Egypt have shown a prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 24–37% of those patients. Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with CHA would prevent early progression of liver disease. We aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sofosbuvir (SOF) and daclatasvir (DAC) in the special population of HCV-infected patients with CHA. In this prospective study, 21 consenting hepatitis C patients were recruited and treated using ribavirin-free SOF/DAC regimen for either 12 or 24 weeks according to categorization of patients into easy or hard-to-treat in accordance with the national protocols. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 71 million people in the world are chronically infected with HCV, with the prevalence of this infection varying throughout the world [4].
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