Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with sofosbuvir-based treatment at 1-year post-sustained virological response

Abstract

Purpose Long-term effects on patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unknown. We assessed the impact of DAA-mediated HCV clearance on HRQoL from DAA initiation to 1 year after confirmed sustained virological response at 24 weeks post-treatment (SVR24). Methods HRQoL was evaluated using the eight-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-8). Chronic HCV-infected patients were treated for 12 weeks with sofosbuvir-based DAAs. SF-8 was administered at baseline, treatment cessation, SVR24, and 1-year post-SVR24. Results A total of 109 chronic HCV-infected patients were enrolled. The average SF-8 scores were higher than the Japanese national standard values for bodily pain (BP) and mental health at baseline and for general health at 1-year post-SVR24. None of the SF-8 scores differed significantly between baseline and 1-year post-SVR24. Regarding age, sex, liver status, and treatment regimen, the SF-8 scores at 1-year post-SVR24 were affected by only age; individuals aged < 65 years had significantly higher physical component score (PCS), physical functioning, role physical, and BP scores than older individuals. In the multivariable analysis, only age of ≥ 65 years was significantly associated with influencing PCS at 1-year post-SVR24. However, no significant factors were identified for mental component score. Conclusion Upon long-term assessment, although more factors trended higher than national standard values at 1-year post-SVR24 than at baseline, there were no significant changes within factors. As PCS tended to be associated with age, patients aged ≥ 65 years should be carefully monitored for PCS.

Clinical Profile and Treatment Response to Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir Regimen and Its Impact on the Quality of Life in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

“…This early reduction in fibrosis parameters should be taken with caution as it is primarily a reflection of the decline in necroinflammation rather than the actual decline in fibrosis, signifying the need for careful long-term follow-up in these patients. In people who have had effective treatment, sustained virological suppression appears to cause long-term fibrosis regression [28,29]. Our results strongly imply that patients achieving SVR with the SOF/VEL combination are likely to display a persistent regression of hepatic fibrosis based on the improvement of serum biomarkers and examination of FIB-4 and APRI trajectories spanning 1.5 y [30].…”

Sustained virologic response improved the long-term health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a prospective national study in China

“…However, long-term effects on patient HRQoL after HCV clearance are still lacking. A study assessing the impact of DAAs-mediated HCV clearance on HRQoL from DAAs initiation to 1 year after confirmed SVR24 found that the average SF-8 scores were higher than the Japanese national standard values for bodily pain (BP) and mental health at baseline and for general health at 1-year post-SVR24 [ 33 ]. Another real-world study of 1601 HCV patients indicated that the improvements in PROs reported by HCV patients who achieved SVR following DAAs therapy were durable at 12 months post-treatment [ 12 ].…”