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Impact of Sofosbuvir‐Based Therapy on Liver Transplant Candidates with Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Author(s) -
Dellay Bethany,
Sexter Anne,
Wang Jeffrey H.,
Hess Gregory P.,
Ray Kim W.,
Israni Ajay K.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/phar.2237
Subject(s) - sofosbuvir , medicine , hazard ratio , pharmacy , liver disease , liver transplantation , cirrhosis , confidence interval , incidence (geometry) , hepatitis c , hepatitis c virus , ribavirin , gastroenterology , transplantation , virus , virology , family medicine , physics , optics
Background Sofosbuvir use in patients with decompensated cirrhosis may be associated with reduced liver transplant waitlist mortality and reduced need for transplant. Methods Data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients were linked with a national database of pharmacy claims. All adult patients on the liver transplant waitlist on January 1, 2014, or added to the list during 2014, with hepatitis C virus as reason for listing were identified (2009 patients). A subgroup of 1093 unique patients had consistent pharmacy claim capture and observations. We compared patients who were and were not treated with all sofosbuvir‐based regimens. Results During the study period, 154 patients received sofosbuvir‐based regimens. These patients had lower model for end‐stage liver disease scores and significantly longer waiting times. We found a trend toward significance for more sofosbuvir‐treated than untreated patients being removed from the waitlist due to improved condition (4.54% vs 3.19%, p=0.03). In a propensity score‐adjusted analysis, sofosbuvir‐treated patients were less likely to undergo transplant (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.37–0.89, p=0.01). Conclusion During the study period reflecting early sofosbuvir use, few liver transplant candidates received sofosbuvir. Use was associated with lower incidence of transplant and a trend toward more waitlist removals due to improved condition.