Sofosbuvirin combination with ribavirin with or withoutpegylated interferon for treatment of Egyptian patients with hepatitis C infection

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem and a leading cause of chronic liver disease. HCV is a major cause of chronic hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis that progresses in some patients to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally, approximately 180 million people are infected with HCV.The highest HCV prevalence in the world occurs in Egypt

The primary goal of HCV therapy is to achieve a SVR, defined as an undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after stopping antiviral therapy. Secondary goals of antiviral therapy include improvements in histology, quality of life and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The aim of this work is To evaluate Sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin with or without pegylated interferon for treatment of Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C infection .

This study was conducted on 100 patients suffering from chronic HCV infection (50 patients on dual therapy with sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 6 months duration , and 50 patients on triple therapy with sofosbuvir, ribavirin and interferon for 3 months duration).

Liver functions and CBCs were done at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 of treatment (for patients on triple therapy) and at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 of treatment (for patients on dual therapy) then 3 months after end of treatment. Quantitative HCV-PCR was followed up at weeks 4 and 12 (for patients on triple therapy) and at weeks 4, 12 and 24 (for patients on dual therapy) then 3 months after end of treatment (SVR).

The results of this study demonstrated that 80% (40/50) of patients received triple therapy achieved SVR, while 72% (36/50) of patients received dual therapy achieved SVR. The most common adverse events were fatigue, headache, insomnia, and anemia.