Audit of state-funded antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C in Qatar

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in the Middle East. A database of 400 patients with chronic HCV in Qatar was retrospectively analysed: 242 patients underwent antiviral treatment, of whom 212 (87.6%) were naïve to treatment. The response to treatment and the predictors of response were studied. The largest group of patients were of Egyptian origin. The rate of sustained virological response (SVR) varied significantly between patients with HCV genotypes 2 or 3 (79.6%) and genotype 1 (45.6%) and 4 (the predominant genotype) (51.0%). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictors of SVR were age < 45 years, infection with genotypes 2 or 3, low fibrosis score on liver biopsy and naïve treatment status. 1Department of Gastroenterology, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. 2 Department of Medical Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar (Correspondence to A. John: aniljohn44@gmail.com

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in the Arabian Gulf countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence

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Hepatitis C Virus in Arab World: A State of Concern

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The Rising Threat of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Middle East and North Africa Region: Results From Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

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