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Sustained virologic response with 6 weeks or less of direct‐acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C: Experience at a veterans affairs healthcare system
Author(s) -
Joshi Prajwol,
Atherton Amanda
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/jgh.14703
Subject(s) - medicine , veterans affairs , population , chronic hepatitis , hepatitis c , retrospective cohort study , immunology , virus , environmental health
Background and Aim Duration of treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection has been shortened since the introduction of highly effective direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). Presented is our experience in successful treatment of veterans with chronic hepatitis C infection, with a shorter than currently recommended duration of therapy. Methods Retrospective chart review of veterans with chronic hepatitis C infection who received more than 1 week and up to 6 weeks (8–42 days) of DAA therapy with the initiation day between January 1, 2015, and October 15, 2018, at Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. Successful treatment was defined by a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR‐12) since the end of treatment. Results Of the 1841 veterans treated, 27 met the criteria for this review. Overall, SVR‐12 was achieved in 92.6% of veterans treated for a duration of more than 1 week and up to 6 weeks. Amongst those who completed only 4 weeks of therapy, 93.3% achieved SVR‐12. All four veterans (100%) treated for a duration of more than 4 weeks and up to 6 weeks achieved SVR‐12. Conclusions Amongst the chronically infected hepatitis C population, a subpopulation who could achieve SVR with a shorter course of treatment than currently recommended does exist. A prospective study of a larger scale will likely provide helpful data in this regard. Our findings could be an impetus for further work.