Abstract:

Background and Aims: Chronic hepatitis C infection is one of the causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this study was primarily to examine the treatment efficacy and side effect profiles of second-generation direct-acting oral antivirals currently used in a heterogeneous patient group with chronic hepatitis C. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 72 patients who received second-generation direct-acting oral antiviral therapy. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected from outpatient follow-up files. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58±14 years, of which 39 (54%) were women. The predominant genotype was 1b (74.6%). Patients with no cirrhosis, compensated cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis were 56 (77.8%), 14 (19.4%), and 2 (2.8%), respectively. Eighteen patients (25%) were treatment experienced. On the other hand, patients treated with paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir + dasabuvir, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir + ribavirin, sofosbuvir + ribavirin, glecaprevir + pibrentasvir, and paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir + ribavirin were 38 (52.8%), 13 (18.1%), 7 (9.7%), 7 (9.7%), 6 (8.3%), and 1 (1.4%), respectively. A total of 71 patients completed the treatment and 69 of them (97.2%) was obtained sustained viral response. In addition, a significant decrease was observed in the initial aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, and alpha fetoprotein levels during treatment (p <0.05). Although bilirubin levels increased significantly during treatment (p <0.05), they decreased at the end of treatment. In terms of the side effect profile, side effects observed in all regimes were mild and not severe enough to discontinue treatment. Conclusion: Therefore, the second-generation direct-acting oral antivirals widely used in chronic hepatitis C infection in our country have high efficacy and low side effect profile.

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